Lagos Waterways Passenger Traffic Hits 2 Million Monthly
Passenger traffic on waterways in Lagos has climbed to about two million monthly, as the state government ramps up efforts to position water transport as a major component of its mobility and economic strategy.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Marine and Blue Economy, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed this while hosting members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN). He said the steady rise in ridership—now estimated between 1.5 million and two million passengers monthly—reflects increasing public confidence in water transportation.
Emmanuel, who also serves as General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority, attributed the growth to improved safety measures, infrastructure development, and continuous engagement with stakeholders.
He noted that the state government has commenced the implementation of a five-year development plan aimed at transforming water transport. The plan includes the introduction of electric ferries, dredging of approximately 140 kilometres of inland waterways, and the construction of modern ferry terminals.
According to him, the initiative is designed to decongest roads while unlocking economic opportunities within the state’s blue economy.
Emmanuel further disclosed that Lagos is aligning with the Federal Government’s clean energy transition by exploring the use of electric ferries and the conversion of marine engines to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
To enhance connectivity, he said transport interchanges are being developed in strategic locations such as Mile 2 and Marina to integrate water, rail, and bus services for seamless commuting.
On safety, Emmanuel stated that incidents on the waterways have reduced significantly due to improved enforcement, infrastructure upgrades, and stakeholder collaboration. He added that the government is also addressing environmental concerns such as plastic pollution and water hyacinth through partnerships with relevant agencies and organisations.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustained collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of water transport in Lagos.
