LAGFERRY Hosts LJLA Fellows On Lagos Waterways, Highlights Growth And Safety Milestones

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

The Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) has hosted Fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) on a special waterways tour as part of its Brown Bag Series engagement, offering participants firsthand experience of water transportation in Lagos.

Akeem Odusina, Public Affairs, LAGFERRY, in a press release said the visit which was held along the Lagos coastline, forms part of the Academy’s structured Brown Bag Series, an initiative designed to provide Fellows with direct access to leadership across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through interactive sessions.

The programme aims to deepen understanding of governance, institutional mandates, and policy implementation.

Managing Director of LAGFERRY, Ladi Balogun, during the session, traced the history and development of water transportation in the state, highlighting key achievements recorded by the agency in recent years.

He attributed the growth of the sector to the support of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, noting that deliberate investments by the state government have significantly enhanced LAGFERRY’s operational capacity.

According to Balogun, the agency has transported over four million passengers as of 2026, a sharp increase from just over 40,000 recorded in 2020.

He added that LAGFERRY now operates 17 terminals and jetties across 27 routes statewide, with its fleet expanded from four vessels in 2020 to 20 vessels in 2026.

The Managing Director also underscored the agency’s commitment to safety, citing strict enforcement of protocols such as compulsory use of lifejackets, comprehensive insurance coverage, regular training for boat operators, and routine vessel maintenance.

As part of the visit, the Fellows embarked on a cruise aboard the MV Adimu Orisa barge, departing from Five Cowries Terminal, Falomo. The tour offered scenic views of notable landmarks, including the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.

The engagement provided the Fellows with practical insights into the operations and impact of water transportation as a growing component of Lagos State’s mobility framework.