Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for increased collaboration among key stakeholders to enhance and expand water transportation systems across Nigeria.
Speaking during a high-level meeting on sustainable transport development in Lagos on Tuesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the strategic importance of water transportation in decongesting roads, reducing travel time, and promoting cleaner urban mobility.
He noted that with Nigeria’s extensive network of inland waterways, the country holds immense untapped potential for efficient and cost-effective transport systems. However, this potential, he said, can only be fully realized through coordinated efforts between government agencies, private investors, and development partners.
“The future of Nigeria’s transport ecosystem lies in multimodal integration, and water transport is a critical component. In Lagos, we are already investing heavily in ferry infrastructure, jetties, and safety standards, but we need broader national support and collaboration to scale up these interventions,” the governor stated.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted successful efforts by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and ongoing partnerships with private operators that have led to increased ferry ridership and improved service delivery within the state.
He called on the Federal Government and relevant ministries to prioritize inland waterways as part of the national transportation agenda, stressing the need for policy reforms, investments in navigational aids, and a clear regulatory framework to attract private capital.
Governor Sanwo-Olu assured that Lagos would continue to serve as a model for safe and efficient water transport and pledged the state’s readiness to share best practices with other states and stakeholders across the country.
