The Lagos State Government has established a dedicated Office of Marine and Blue Economy to drive Nigeria’s 10-Year National Blue Economy Policy and accelerate water-based development at the state level.
Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), disclosed the development during a televised interview on Sunday. He said the move demonstrates Lagos’ commitment to domesticating federal policy through focused infrastructure, policy coordination, and regional partnerships.
“We now have a national policy providing clear direction, and Lagos has taken it further by creating a dedicated office to domesticate and drive the goals of the blue economy,” Emmanuel said.
At the heart of this effort is the €410 million “Omi-Eko” project, a green transport initiative that includes:
· Introduction of over 70 hybrid-electric ferries
· Upgrades to 20 jetties and terminals
· Dredging of 140 kilometers of waterways
· Deployment of real-time data systems for safety and operational efficiency
The project aims to support daily water transport for over 100,000 commuters, easing road congestion and enhancing sustainable urban mobility.
“These ferries are hybrid-electric, reducing emissions and slashing operating costs by nearly 50%. This will make operations more profitable and travel more affordable,” Emmanuel said.
Support for local operators is also a key pillar of the plan. LASWA is organizing existing ferry operators into cooperatives and providing them with financial backing and training, ensuring their inclusion in the evolving ecosystem.
“We’re not displacing them; we’re equipping them to grow alongside the system,” he added.
On the regional front, Emmanuel highlighted discussions at the Regional Ferry Conference in Lagos, where stakeholders explored cross-border ferry operations, particularly with the Benin Republic, and considered policy harmonization.
“You can’t go regional without fixing your local systems first,” he said.
To boost safety and planning, LASWA has launched the Waterways Monitoring and Data Management Centre the first of its kind in Nigeria. The facility provides real-time insights on boat traffic, passenger flows, and environmental conditions, and works in partnership with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to issue accurate marine weather forecasts.
The official launch of Omi-Eko is slated for Q4 2025, with Emmanuel reporting a significant drop in waterway incidents this year, credited to improved safety campaigns and infrastructure.
Beyond transport, Lagos is leveraging the blue economy to boost eco-tourism and heritage travel, with structured ferry tours to historic sites like Badagry.
“Lagos is surrounded by water it’s only natural that we maximise it for development,” Emmanuel concluded.
“The blue economy isn’t just about moving goods and people. It’s about unlocking the full value of our coastal communities.”
