Lagos Champions Regional Action for Safer, Smarter Waterways

The Lagos State Government has emphasized the need for regional collaboration to
strengthen waterway transportation.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the call on Wednesday at the 2025 Regional Ferry
Safety Conference in Lagos, noting that a city with over 25 million residents requires an
efficient ferry system to support urban mobility, tourism, and economic growth.
The conference was organized by the Lagos State Waterways Authority in partnership with
the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa and the Interferry Association, with the
theme: “Charting Safer Waters: Advancing Ferry Safety through Innovation, Collaboration,
and Integrated Transport Solutions.”
Represented by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
emphasized the urgent need for enforceable safety regulations, the adoption of advanced
technologies, and standardized operations to ensure the safety of ferry passengers across
the region.
He described the conference as not just timely but vital, stating, “Ferry safety goes beyond
local concerns it’s a regional priority. We must establish unified safety frameworks, share
vital data and intelligence, standardize training procedures, and adopt innovative
technologies to enhance navigation and emergency response on our waterways.”
“In a state with over 25 million residents, the demand for a reliable ferry transport system to
support urban mobility, tourism, and economic integration is undeniable,” he stated.
“However, as this sector grows, it is critical that we uphold strict, enforceable, and
technology-driven safety standards. Achieving this requires coordinated regional action and
Lagos is ready to lead the way.”
He further highlighted the state’s substantial investments in water transport infrastructure,
including the construction of modern jetties, deployment of patrol and rescue boats,
establishment of the Inland Waterways Monitoring and Data Management Centre, and the
introduction of locally built Omi Bus standard ferries.
Paul Adalikwu, Secretary-General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa,
said the conference was aimed at making ferry transport in the subregion not just efficient
and accessible, but most importantly, safe.
He noted that Lagos was chosen as the host city because of its status as a cosmopolitan
centre with a well-developed multimodal transport system, 22 percent water coverage, and
an average of 60,000 daily ferry commuters between the mainland and islands. He also
praised the state’s strong institutional framework for managing water transportation.