The Lagos State Government says it’s implementing a €410 million Omi-Eko project to establish a modern, integrated public inland waterways transportation system.
The Special Adviser on Blue Economy to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed this at the 2026 Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) summit in Lagos.
Emmanuel said the project was designed to complement the state’s urban mobility system, improve connectivity for waterfront communities and expand access to economic opportunities.
He said more than 540,000 people currently lived in waterfront communities, with many depending on water transport for mobility, livelihoods and economic activities.
According to him, congestion, rising transport costs, limited road space, environmental concerns and inadequate connectivity informed the state’s decision to strengthen water transportation.
“Water transportation can provide alternative corridors and reduce journey times, citing the Ikorodu-Falomo route for example.
“The journey from Ikorodu to Falomo, which can take more than one hour by road, can be done in about 25 to 30 minutes by water,” he said.
He said the state was strengthening regulation, safety oversight, ferry terminal development, navigation, professional standards and stakeholder engagement to support the sector.
The special adviser said public awareness was also important, as some residents remained reluctant to use water transportation because of fear and limited familiarity with the waterways.
He said the Omi-Eko project followed a two-year pre-feasibility study conducted with support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
“The €410 million project involves the European Investment Bank, AFD, European Union and Lagos State Government, with financing comprising loans, grants and counterpart funding.
“The European Investment Bank will provide €170 million, AFD €130 million, the European Union €60 million grant and Lagos State Government €40 million.
“The remaining €10 million is expected from private-sector participation, particularly investment in the ticketing system,” he said.
He said the five-year project would establish 15 structured ferry routes, dredge about 140 kilometres of waterways, upgrade 25 ferry terminals and provide 78 modern electric ferries.
Emmanuel said the vessels would carry up to 440 passengers, while the project would provide passenger facilities, fleet maintenance infrastructure, improved navigation channels and climate-resilient infrastructure.
He said a Vessel Industry Transition Programme was being developed to integrate informal-sector operators into the emerging formal water transportation system through integration or buyout arrangements.
The special adviser stressed that safety remained the foundation of the programme, with emphasis on regulatory enforcement, crew competence, vessel standards and emergency preparedness.
He said Lagos’ future mobility must be multimodal, with water transportation integrated with rail, buses, private vehicles and park-and-ride facilities to address first-mile and last-mile connectivity.
According to him, the objective is to develop one interconnected network rather than separate transportation systems, improving travel times, reliability and passenger experience.
Emmanuel said integrated transport would improve businesses, access to markets, facilitate workers’ movement, strengthen economic connectivity and create opportunities for waterfront communities and local enterprises.
He added that a recent study identified 34 additional maritime communities requiring better connectivity.
He noted that the integrated water transport would reduce pressure on roads, promote cleaner mobility and create maritime, green and blue economy jobs.
