By
Lindsay James |
Lagos State, a coastal city in Southwestern Nigeria, is Africa’s most populous urban area and home to around 21 million residents. Its extensive lagoons, creeks and waterways make up around 22 per cent of the city, so water transport is a critical – but historically underused – part of its mobility system.
Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, general manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and recently appointed special adviser on blue economy to the Lagos State Governor, was born in the city and has grown up with its waterways as a backdrop. That’s why he’s dedicated his career to transforming Lagos’s water channels into a structured, reliable and increasingly indispensable mode of transport.
“My journey with LASWA has been one of reform, growth and transformation,” says Emmanuel. “Over the past 10 years, first as company secretary and later as general manager, I’ve focused strongly on improving safety standards, strengthening collaborations, expanding ferry routes and restoring public confidence in water transportation.”
Under Emmanuel’s guidance, LASWA introduced advanced safety measures, improved institutional capacity, enhanced collaboration with security agencies and upgraded several jetties, terminals and navigational systems. As a result, water transport in Lagos is now safer, more structured and more recognised as a viable commuting alternative than ever before.
Now, in his role as special adviser on blue economy, Emmanuel’s vision is bigger. “We are not just looking at transportation, we are now looking at how our waterways can drive economic growth, tourism, job creation and environmental sustainability,” he says. “The goal is to fully unlock the economic potential of our waters and position Lagos as Africa’s leading blue economy hub.”
The Omi Bus ferries were manufactured in Lagos State and are equipped with safety features, a stereo system and USB charging points to improve the sailing experience (Photo: LASWA)
Achieving this transformation will be no small victory. Lagos State faces several significant challenges, including infrastructure gaps, access to affordable financing for fleet modernisation, safety compliance, fluctuating operating costs and public perception regarding reliability.
“At a broader regional level, we also see fragmented regulatory frameworks and limited coordinated investment strategies across the blue economy value chain,” says Emmanuel. “These challenges are not insurmountable, they simply require strategic coordination between government, boat operators and private investors. This is where I’m focusing my efforts. I’m working alongside the government to create predictable policy environments and strengthen institutional oversight, while ensuring that operators remain commercially viable.”
LASWA’s work is also playing a pivotal role in ensuring the transformation of Lagos State’s waterways is a success. “Safety remains our top priority,” says Emmanuel. “In partnership with the National Inland Waterways Authority, we continue to enforce the compulsory use of life jackets and provide training for boat captains and crew. We are also investing in infrastructure upgrades and navigational aids to make ferry movement smoother and safer.”
The authority has also begun modernising its fleet. It started by introducing the locally manufactured Omi Bus modern ferries to replace its smaller, more informal services. LASWA has also launched the £410 million ($546 million) Omi Eko project to deploy 75 electric vessels, each capable of carrying 50 to 120 passengers. These vessels will significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions and air and water pollution.
“Our long-term goal is simple – to make water transportation a mainstream mobility option in Lagos,” says Emmanuel. “We want to significantly increase the ridership figure to about 10 per cent of the total modal share, expand route coverage, integrate water transport more effectively with road and rail systems, and adopt cleaner, environmentally friendly electric ferries.”
LASWA’s Oluwadamilola Emmanuel (centre) cuts the ribbon at the ceremony to welcome the first new Omi Bus to the fleet (Photo: LASWA)
LASWA is also investing in water tourism, water sports and job creation within the blue economy. “Lagos has enormous water assets and we intend to fully harness them for sustainable growth,” Emmanuel says.
Emmanuel’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. He was recently appointed as the first African representative on the board of global ferry association Interferry.
“This isn’t just a personal milestone; it is recognition of the progress Lagos has made in reforming its ferry system,” says Emmanuel. “This position gives us direct access to global best practices, safety innovations and international partnerships. It strengthens LASWA’s ability to align with global standards while also giving Africa a stronger voice in international maritime discussions. Ultimately, it will help us to accelerate our vision of building a world-class, safe and sustainable waterways system for Lagos State.”
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