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Governor Sanwo-Olu Launches €410 Million Omi Eko Project to Transform Lagos Waterways
Governor Sanwo-Olu Launches €410 Million Omi Eko Project to Transform Lagos Waterways
Lagos, Nigeria – Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday officially launched the Omi Eko Project at the Five Cowries Terminal, Falomo, Ikoyi, marking a transformative milestone in Lagos State’s push toward sustainable urban mobility and clean energy transportation.
The ambitious €410 million (approximately $440 million) initiative, spearheaded by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), aims to revolutionise water transportation across Africa’s most populous city by introducing over 70 electric-powered ferries, upgrading jetties, and modernising waterway infrastructure.
Addressing dignitaries, government officials, development partners, and key stakeholders from the transport and maritime sectors, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the launch as “a pivotal moment” in Lagos State’s journey toward environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
“Lagos was born on water. Today, we honour the pioneers of this journey who laid the foundation upon which we build,” said Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager of LASWA, during the ceremony. “As we say in Yoruba, Omi ni iye—water is life, water is connectivity, water is the soul of Lagos.”
The Governor emphasised that the project represents a comprehensive, future-oriented blueprint for sustainable mobility that merges technology, environmental responsibility, and economic opportunity. He acknowledged the collaborative effort between the Lagos State Government, development partners, private investors, and the people of Lagos in making the project a reality.
The Omi Eko Project is financed through the Global Gateway Initiative, with significant support from international development institutions. The funding structure includes €360 million from the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with Lagos State Government providing a counterpart fund of €40 million and an additional €10 million from the private sector.
Governor Sanwo-Olu specifically acknowledged the roles of President Emmanuel Macron of France and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending their commitment to partnerships that drive innovation and sustainable development.
The Omi Eko Project encompasses several transformative components designed to modernise Lagos’ waterways:
Fleet Modernisation: Deployment of over 75 electric-powered ferries to replace outdated, polluting vessels, with the capacity to move 25 million passengers annually by 2030.
Infrastructure Development: Construction and rehabilitation of 25 ferry terminals equipped with charging stations, parking facilities, waiting areas, digital payment systems, and safety equipment.
Waterway Enhancement: Dredging and navigation marking of 140 kilometres across 15 priority ferry routes, addressing challenges posed by abandoned shipwrecks and invasive water hyacinth.
Smart Technology Integration: Implementation of an intelligence tracking system and the Cowry Card smart ticketing system to improve passenger convenience and reduce waiting times.
The project is designed to address multiple critical challenges facing Lagos, including chronic road congestion, carbon emissions, and the existential threat of rising sea levels. According to LASWA, the initiative will slash annual carbon emissions by 41,000 tons and reduce water travel times across key routes to under an hour.
Beyond transportation, the project envisions Lagos’ waterways as hubs for innovation, commerce, and community life. It is expected to create significant employment opportunities and stimulate economic activities along waterfront communities and tourism hubs through public-private partnerships.
The launch comes just two weeks after Lagos captured global attention by hosting Africa’s first electric powerboat race, the E1 Series, along the Five Cowries corridor. This demonstrated the state’s readiness to embrace climate-smart transport systems in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to environmental preservation.
The project commenced in 2024 and is scheduled for completion by 2030. The phased implementation will allow for gradual transition, including opportunities for licensed banana boat operators to bid for the new Omi Buses with government support.
The choice of Five Cowries Terminal as the launch venue underscores its central role in Lagos’ intermodal transport network and the broader Lagos Urban Mobility Plan, which integrates road, rail, and water systems for seamless movement across the megacity.
As Lagos sets a benchmark for sustainable urban development in Africa, the Omi Eko Project represents more than infrastructure development—it is a vision of a cleaner, smarter, and more connected future for millions of Lagos residents.
For more coverage on waterways transportation and maritime development in Nigeria, visit www.waterwaysnews.ng
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SWAAADO Intensifies Waterways Safety Sensitization Campaign to Waterfront Communities in Lagos State.
SWAAADO Intensifies Waterways Safety Sensitization Campaign to Waterfront Communities in Lagos State.
130 Persons, Including Boat Drivers, Fishermen, Community Leaders and Everyday Waterway Users, Participate as Organization Plans Free Training and Licensing for Boat Skippers
Thursday 12th of February 2026, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State
Sustainable Waterways Awareness Advancement and Advocacy Organization (SWAAADO), has expanded its ongoing waterways safety sensitization campaign to three communities on Onisiwo Island in Onisiwo Kingdom, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The comprehensive safety awareness program, which covered Ilufemiloye, Irede, and Igbayilola Tie-Gate Communities, attracted 130 participants comprising boat users, fishermen and boat skippers who engaged in robust discussions on waterways safety understanding and knowledge.
Chief Emmanuel Omotayo, the Baale of Ilufemiloye Community, who attended the occasion, expressed satisfaction with the initiative, noting the visible joy on the faces of community participants. “We need more of this sensitization campaign in our kingdom,” the community leader stated.
Comprehensive Safety Education
Chief Raymond Gold, SWAAADO’s Head of Desk, Corporate Communication and Strategy, took participants through an extensive waterways safety sensitization program, educating them on critical safety measures required when boarding and disembarking from boats.
Chief Gold unveiled SWAAADO’s ambitious plans for waste management in waterfront communities, emphasizing the detrimental effects that the dumping of household waste on our waterways, could have on aquatic life. He also announced the organization’s groundbreaking initiative to provide free training and licensing for boat skippers while listing them on SWAAADO’s Nigeria Waterways Directory platform – a move designed to bring boat operators into the oversight framework of maritime regulatory agencies.
Partnership for Seamless Training
Mrs. Ada Okpanige Agbo, representing SWYRE Marine, a NIMASA-accredited training institution, gave details on the need for every boat skipper to be trained and licensed urging participants to avail themselves of the opportunity that SWAAADO provides. She confirmed that SWYRE Marine has partnered with SWAAADO to ensure seamless training and licensing of boat skippers.
Engr. Shittu Oladimeji of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) stressed the importance of constant safety consciousness while highlighting the agency’s ongoing efforts in sensitizing waterways users about safety compliance. He announced LASWA’s readiness to support community waterways safety volunteers and requested the compilation of names for official registration and training in preparation for engagement
Industry Stakeholders Endorse Initiative
Comrade Osaweren O. Larry, representing the Lagos Commercial Private Boat District of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, described the SWAAADO’s Nigeria Waterways Directory concept as “a game changer” in the nation’s waterways industry. He noted that the platform would would instil discipline in the sector by listing all stakeholders with verifiable data and providing mechanisms to blacklist erring participants.
“The burden of safety on our waterways is a shared responsibility,” Larry emphasized, calling on regulatory agencies to partner with SWAAADO in addressing major challenges facing the maritime sector.
Engr. Gimada of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) delivered what observers described as a fantastic safety message, further reinforcing the importance of waterways safety education.
Chief Femi Alade, the Baale of Irede Community, also addressing the gathering, advising both passengers and boat skippers to maintain safety consciousness at all times.
Life Vests Distribution
The sensitization campaign ended with the distribution of life vests to the two jetties serving the three communities, providing essential safety equipment to enhance passenger protection on the waterways.
SWAAADO’s waterways safety campaign is supported by Simtop International Limited, Best-Time Global Logistics and Solutions Ltd., Waterways Integrated Synergy Limited, and SWYRE Marine, whose collective commitment continues to drive safety awareness across Lagos State waterfront communities.
The organization’s multi-faceted approach – combining education, free training, licensing, and regulatory integration – represents a comprehensive strategy to enhance safety standards and formalize operations in Nigeria’s inland waterways sector.
*For more information about SWAAADO’s waterways safety initiatives and upcoming training programs, community members and boat operators are encouraged to contact the organization through its official channels.*
SWAAADO Launches 2026 Waterways Safety Sensitization Campaign in Lagos Waterfront Communities
Onisiwo Island, Lagos State
– The Sustainable Waterways Awareness Advancement and Advocacy Organization (SWAAADO), supported by key industry stakeholders, today conducted a comprehensive waterways safety sensitization campaign at Bishop-Kodji and Whala-Kodji communities on Onisiwo Island, Lagos. The event brought together over 120 community members and representatives from key maritime regulatory agencies.
The event, tagged “Waterways Safety Sensitization Campaign for Waterfront Communities and Waterways Users in Lagos State,” drew participation from the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), SWYRE Marine, and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).
The campaign is supported by key industry leaders committed to advancing waterways safety across Nigeria. Supporting organizations include Simtop Ventures International Limited, Best-Time Global Logistics and Solutions Ltd, SWYRE Marine, Waterways Integrated Synergy Limited, and Nigeria Waterways Directory, demonstrating strong private sector commitment to maritime safety advocacy.
Chief Raymond Gold, Head of Corporate Communication and Strategy at SWAAADO, unveiled the organization’s ambitious plan to train 5,000 boat skippers across Nigeria’s eight coastal states and five inland states. Lagos State will account for 300 trainees, while the other seven coastal states will receive 200 trainees each, with the remaining slots distributed among the five inland states.
“This initiative was born out of the tragic boat mishaps that happened in the mid northern part of the country, where many lives were lost due to lack of waterways safety awareness,” Chief Gold explained during the event.
SWAAADO’s intervention follows extensive research into the root causes of recurrent boat accidents across Nigerian waterways. The organization has developed a multi-pronged approach that includes community awareness campaigns, professional training for boat operators, and the creation of a regulatory support platform.
Central to this strategy is the Nigeria Waterways Directory (www.nigeriawaterwaysdirectory.com), an online publication that is registered with the National Library (EISSN: 3122-0045). The platform is designed to list trained and certified boat operators while providing regulatory authorities with the capability to blacklist non-compliant operators.
Engr. Sola Fumilugba delivered a lecture on waterways safety codes and enforcement, emphasizing the critical need for boat operators to obtain proper licensing. His presentation highlighted regulatory requirements that many operators currently overlook.
Mr. Shittu Oladimeji, representing LASWA, outlined the Lagos State Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure waterways safety and urged all waterways users to maintain constant safety consciousness.
Mrs. Ada Okpanige Agbo of SWYRE Marine, a NIMASA-accredited training institution (ATI) and key partner of the initiative, stressed on the importance of professional training, certification and licensing for boat skippers, explaining the standards required for proper licensing.
Comrade Owolabi Omotayo, newly elected Chairman of Lagos Commercial Private Boat District of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria-MWUN, provided candid advice to boat workers on safety compliance and licensing requirements before operating vessels.
Comrade Osaweren O. Larry, representing the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), reinforced the message of safety code compliance while clarifying the distinct roles of the Maritime Workers Union and various boat owners associations.
The sensitization campaign concluded with concrete results: five waterways safety volunteers were identified for interviews and subsequent training, life jackets were distributed to attendees, and campaign materials were shared among all participants.
The event represents a significant step in SWAAADO’s broader mission to reduce waterways accidents through education, training, and improved regulatory compliance across Nigerian waterways, bolstered by the commitment of its industry partners.
For more information about SWAAADO’s initiatives, visit www.swaaado.org
For information on how to list your business or skill on the Nigeria Waterways Directory visit www.nigeriawaterwaysdirectory.com
Supporting Partners: Simtop International Limited | Best-Time Global Logistics and Solutions Ltd | SWYRE Marine | Waterways Integrated Synergy Limited | Nigeria Waterways Directory
SWAAADO Holds Community Waterways Safety Sensitization Campaign in Bishop Kodji Community Tomorrow.
Sustainable Waterways Awareness Advancement and Advocacy Organization aka SWAAADO, a non-profit organization advocating for safe and sustainable waterways is set to hold a community waterways safety sensitization campaign tomorrow Thursday 29 of January 2026.
The venue is the community field at Bishop Kodji community within Onisiwo Kingdom, Snake Island, along the Badagry Creek Apapa, Lagos. According to a public statement made available by Chief Raymond Gold, SWAAADO’s corporate communication director, this event is part of the organization’s sensitization campaign for waterfront communities and waterways users in Lagos state. The events are being held in collaboration with Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria WABOTAN, and in partnership with NIMASA, NIWA and LASWA, Chief Raymond Gold stated. Highlights of the events include distribution of waterways safety information materials, waterways safety gadgets and setting up of Community Waterways Safety Volunteers. Details of this and other forth coming events are available on SWAAADO’s website; www.swaaado.org
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