Blue Economy
Indigenous Investors Coalition Targets Nigeria’s Blue Economy, Seeks NIWA Partnership
Indigenous Investors Coalition Targets Nigeria’s Blue Economy, Seeks NIWA Partnership
By Okeoghene Onoriobe| Waterways News Correspondent| Lagos
A coalition of indigenous maritime tourism and transportation investors has thrown its weight behind the development of Nigeria’s largely untapped blue economy, pledging to drive strategic investments that will open up waterfront recreation, hospitality, and water transportation for the benefit of littoral communities in Lagos and across the country.
The group, Allied Concessionaires and Blue Economy Alliance, made the declaration during a courtesy visit to the Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engineer Sarat Braimah, at the NIWA Lagos Area Office.
Addressing the meeting, the coalition’s Chairman, Bolaji Olasade, described the alliance as a body of seasoned maritime tourism and transportation operators with a shared vision to redefine Nigeria’s waterfront economy. He said the group’s initiative is designed to deliver an integrated model that combines safe and efficient water transportation with waterfront hospitality and recreation, creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities for coastal communities in Lagos and beyond.
“We are committed to repositioning Nigeria’s brown water and blue economy sectors by transforming the country’s waterfront hospitality and tourism landscape into a globally competitive industry,” Olasade said.
The coalition’s Secretary, Barrister Dorcas Aderemi, stressed that the Nigerian marine and blue economy sector can only fulfil its potential when inland waterways are strategically aligned for sustainable investment. She called for a structured public-private partnership (PPP) framework between the private sector and NIWA, arguing that such an arrangement would fast-track development, enhance inland waterways utilisation, stimulate job creation, and significantly grow government revenue.
The group also commended Engineer Braimah for her leadership of the Lagos Area Office, specifically her zero-tolerance approach to boat transportation accidents and security infractions on inland waterways. They also celebrated her recent Nelson Mandela Pan-African Leadership Award, which they described as a fitting recognition of her commitment to national service.
Responding warmly to the delegation, Engineer Braimah expressed NIWA’s readiness to explore collaboration with the coalition. She acknowledged that delivering on NIWA’s mandate requires meaningful private sector partnership, particularly from investors with credible financial commitments to the sector.
“We are pleased to receive you and have listened carefully to your intentions to collaborate with us. We recognise that NIWA cannot achieve its mandate alone without the private sector, especially serious investors with genuine financial commitments to the industry. We will communicate your proposals to our headquarters in Abuja to explore how your group can leverage existing opportunities,” she stated.
The Area Manager also stressed the urgency of modernising inland water transportation, including introducing new vessels to phase out ageing and unsafe watercraft — a move she said would lift safety standards, improve operational efficiency, and raise the overall quality of Nigeria’s waterways transport and hospitality sectors.
She urged the coalition to stay united, resist internal divisions, and remain focused on delivering real impact — particularly for littoral communities, whom she said must be actively engaged and empowered to benefit from emerging maritime tourism and transportation opportunities on their doorstep.
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