INTERVIEW 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.” “ Our long-term goal is simple – to make water transportation a mainstream mobility option in Lagos” Oluwadamilola Emmanuel tells Lindsay James about his vision to position Lagos State as Africa’s leading blue economy hub A new era of blue growth for Lagos State 86 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
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