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EU offers support for ECOWAS’ fight against maritime insecurity in West Africa


—donates euro 5.4million worth of equipment to coastal states

Eyewitness reporte

The European Union has offered financial and moral support to the ECOWAS Commission in its figt against maritime insecurity in the sub region.
At the two-day  high-level maritime security seminar held from 4th to 5th April, 2022 at the ECOWAS headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria, the EU announced a donation of 30 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) and other security equipment worth  euro 5.4 million to combat maritime crimes in the coast of ECOWAS Countries.
The seminar was organised in the framework of the European Union-funded Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS) project.
The boats and equipment were provided under the EU-funded ECOWAS project tagged the Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS) project, a multi-component, regional initiative implemented in all 15 ECOWAS countries.
Col. Abdourahmane Dieng, the Head of ECOWAS’ Regional Security Division said that Maritime insecurity had long been one of the most persistent and intractable threats to maritime communities and economic prosperity in West Africa.
Dieng, however, said that West African countries require a whole of coordinated response to tackle the scourge of attacks, piracy and armed robberies against the vessels.“For that, we have developed an ECOWAS integrated maritime strategy around five pillars to ensure security in the fifteen member states within ECOWAS maritime domain.
“And also reinforce our capacity in terms of managing our maritime environment and also developing our capacity in terms of blue economy, and also develop our culture in terms of maritime.
“We are receiving support from our partners, the main partner coming in is the European Union and today we are also here together with SWAIMS to try to capacitate the member states.“
By providing them with Rigid Inflatable boats that allow the Member states to fight against illegal fishing through some paroling in the maritime domain.
“Today, all the Member States are represented by their relevant agencies and also representatives to discuss draft an agreement for the sharing of the Rigid Inflatable boats.
“And also try to develop the modalities of the way to capacitate the member states to be able to use them today,” Dieng said.
Dr Axel Klien, SWAIMS Representative said that the Seminar was part of a wider programme to support Maritime security in the ECOWAS region.
Klien said that the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats would be provided to the Navy and coast guards of all 12 coastal ECOWAS member states and the provision of equipment to the maritime operation centres.
This he explained would help to curb maritime crimes and piracy which had ravaged the coastal lines of ECOWAS Countries.
“There are different types of Maritime crimes, there are piracy and armed robbery, there are also illegal fishing, and there are the trade-in illicit goods.
“So, against all these crimes, the coast guards, the police, the law enforcement agencies, the prosecuting services, they need to be provided with the equipment.
“What we are talking about today here is providing to ECOWAS, with funding from the European Union are thirty digital inflatable boats that can go out into the sea and catch the perpetrators.
“And, also the forensic equipment and communications and other equipment that will help the maritime centres coordinate these operations.“
“If you look at the numbers of piracy incidents in these regions, you will find that all the different efforts by navies and coast guards and international partners have been successful in reducing the numbers.
“So, we need to build on that success by strengthening the security system that is in place at the moment.
“International cooperation is critical and here is why ECOWAS is playing a valuable role for its multinational coordination centres, the exchange of information and the coordination of expenses,” Klien said.
Amb. Joao Almeida, President Camoes Institute, who lauded the programme said, the institution was excited to have been charged by the European Union to implement the project.
Almedia expressed optimism that the boats and equipment when handed over would achieve their purpose of combatting all forms of maritime crimes in the region.
“We have been charged by the European Union to be the implementors of the project that we are going to have here.“We are going to discuss how to go ahead with the MOU among the 12 states of ECOWAS,” Almedia said.
The seminar reviewed and refined modalities for the distribution of essential maritime security equipment across ECOWAS’ littoral countries.
The meeting agreed that turning the tide against maritime insecurity is a collaborative effort that no single country or region can tackle alone.
For this reason, ECOWAS, in conjunction with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), formulated the Yaoundé Code of Conduct as a foundation for broad-based regional maritime security along the entire Gulf of Guinea.

 But the security partnership goes beyond Africa, embracing the European Union (EU) and other key international players geographically outside the Gulf of Guinea because the Gulf is of global importance as a crucial international maritime route.

“The EU is a committed partner to the Gulf of Guinea region and will continue to provide extensive and targeted assistance to strengthen the critical features of the Yaoundé security architecture, further cementing the long-standing relationship between ECOWAS and the EU,” affirmed Ambassador Nicolas Berlanga Martinez, the EU Senior Coordinator for the Gulf of Guinea, who will attend the event in person.

Among these efforts is the EU-funded ECOWAS project tagged SWAIMS, a collaborative, complex, multi-component, regional initiative implemented by various partners, and covering all 15 ECOWAS countries.SWAIMS is helping organise the high-level maritime security seminar bringing together representatives from the 12 coastal ECOWAS countries: Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo.

In attendance at the strategic seminar are high-level officials from the Ministries of Defence (mostly the Navy), Transport (mostly Maritime Agencies) and Foreign Affairs.
 The boats and forensic equipment will be supplied to coastal ECOWAS countries by Portugal’s Camões, IP.
 Camões, working closely with the Portuguese Navy, will also provide related training and maintenance.
“In financial terms, the delivery of RHIBs and forensic equipment worth more than 5 million euros is the most significant component of the SWAIMS project,” observed Dr Axel Klein, SWAIMS Team Leader.

 The boats and equipment will significantly enhance the capacity of beneficiary countries to enforce the rule of law in their territorial waters and adjoining exclusive economic zones.

SWAIMS adopts a pragmatic and holistic approach to enhancing maritime security.

Equipment supply is not only a crucial extension but also a logical follow-up to the other SWAIMS components that – through the training of personnel, the drafting of standard operating procedures, and the strengthening of the legal framework – have engendered the necessary preconditions for efficient and effective use of the equipment.

Besides Camões, other SWAIMS implementing partners assuring these various preconditions are Institut de sécurité maritime interregional in Côte d’Ivoire, Regional Maritime University in Ghana, ECOWAS’ Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

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NSW will not subsume B’Odogwu Customs trade platform — Fakolade

Gloria Odion 
Tola Fakolade, the Director of Nigeria National Single Window Project has stated that the celebrated National Single Window project which first phase is due for official roll out in March,27th, 2026 is not a substitute for the Customs trade platform commonly called B’Odogwu, neither will the presidential initiative subsume the Customs platform.
Fakolade make this clarification against the rising fears that the multi- million dollar indigenous platform created by the Customs to enhance its operations and meant to replace the previous foreign – created portal, will be jettisoned at the berth of NSW.
However, he further clarified that the NSW will operate alongside the B’Odogwu Customs Management System, describing the two platforms as complementary.
“The B’Odogwu system handles core Customs processes such as valuation and risk management, while the National Single Window serves as the single-entry portal for traders to submit documents and applications for approvals,” he said.
Fakolade also declared that NSW will not replace any government agency involved in trade facilitation but will instead integrate their processes to eliminate duplication and improve efficiency.
He explained that the system is designed to ensure that once a release is issued by the Nigeria Customs Service, it would already reflect the risk assessment and compliance requirements of other port-related regulatory agencies.
According to him, key trade agencies were involved from the early stages of the project, with each nominating technical representatives who contributed to the development of the platform.
He noted that the system has already identified and addressed several duplicated processes that previously slowed cargo clearance and added no value to port operations.
Fakolade also disclosed that extensive training has been ongoing for over a month for end-users including importers, exporters, freight forwarders and officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
 He added that training sessions are being conducted physically at designated centres that accommodate between 30 and 50 participants, while additional learning resources and explanatory videos have been made available online.
Fakolade added that when the platform goes live on March 27, 2026, initial services will include applications for import licences, certificates and permits for agencies such as Standards Organisation of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, as well as manifest submissions by shipping lines and airlines.
Meanwhile, Princess Chi Ezeh, Vice President (Seaports) of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), commended the committee driving the NSW Nigeria for recognising freight forwarders as critical stakeholders in the reform initiative aimed at improving trade facilitation in the country.
Ezeh noted that the decision to engage freight forwarders during the awareness and consultation stages of the project demonstrates that the implementation team understands the strategic role operators play in Nigeria’s port and logistics ecosystem.
She added that during the engagement sessions, freight forwarders were able to highlight some operational challenges they face at the ports, which the project team assured would be addressed.
She expressed optimism ahead of the planned launch of the National Single Window, urging the implementation team to ensure that the system is properly structured to enhance trade facilitation rather than create additional delays in cargo clearance processes.
Also speaking, the Chairman of APFFLON Tincan Chapter, Alhaji Akeem Ayobiojo, assured that freight forwarders would play their part in ensuring the success of the initiative by submitting accurate documentation and complying with the required procedures.
He stressed that transparency and professionalism from operators are essential to achieving the project’s goal of reducing cost, saving time and improving efficiency in Nigeria’s port operations.
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Port modernisation, NSW:  the dual trade facilitation tools deployed by NPA to enhance efficiency for economic growth 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
Nigeria’s maritime sector, the gateway through which over 80 per cent of the nation’s international trade flows, is undergoing a sweeping transformation, which is being midwifed by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.
Anchored on port modernisation, digital trade facilitation and institutional reform, the new maritime policy direction is designed to reposition Nigeria’s seaports as competitive hubs within the global shipping ecosystem.
Last week, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) released its 2025 report showing that the nation’s maritime sector recorded a historic surge in activity, driven by increased cargo throughput, rising container traffic, and a growing export footprint — a development that underscores the federal government’s commitment to economic diversification.
The 2025 Operational Performance Report released by the NPA revealed that total cargo throughput surged by 24.8 per cent rising from approximately 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the growth as one of the most significant annual increases in Nigeria’s maritime history, noting that the milestone strengthens the country’s position as a more competitive and strategic player in regional and global trade.
The outstanding performance did not just happen overnight, it is a result of the transformative reforms of the federal government.
 For decades, the nation’s ports struggled with a lot of constraints.
However, President Bola Tinubu is reversing the trend through an ambitious reform programme driven by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under Adegboyega Oyetola and implemented largely by the Nigerian Ports Authority under the leadership of its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho.
At the centre of the reform strategy are two interconnected initiatives: the comprehensive modernisation of Nigeria’s port infrastructure and the deployment of the National Single Window (NSW), a digital platform designed to streamline trade documentation and eliminate bureaucratic delays.
Ahead of the flag off of NSW, the NPA put the structures in place and is fully ready. The NPA being a critical stakeholder in the NSW initiative has fully aligned its operational processes with the NSW platform.
In furtherance of this, NPA has been part of the NSW Committee, which has been working with the NSW Project Team, KPMG, and Crimson-Logic.
 These engagements have focused on ensuring seamless integration of the Authority’s Revenue Invoice Management System (RIMS 2.0) with the NSW architecture.
Several strategic, operational and technical decisions have been taken to align current processes with the national framework.
In line with Phase 1 of the NSW go-live, NPA has participated in a series of technical and strategic engagements with the NSW Project Team and implementation partners, complete initial User Acceptance Testing (UAT), inauguration of Transition Committee of the NSW and the development and delivery of all requested system endpoints (integration codes) to enable process alignment between NPA and NSW platforms.
Together, these initiatives represent one of the most far-reaching attempts to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector and position it as a critical engine of national growth.
Nigeria’s ports have long been central to the country’s economic architecture. Yet for many years, they have been constrained by infrastructural decay and operational inefficiencies.
Experts estimate that Nigeria loses more than N1 trillion annually due to the lack of port automation and modern infrastructure, as congestion, delays and administrative duplication increase logistics costs for businesses and discourage shipping lines.
In addition to these financial losses, inefficient port operations have undermined Nigeria’s regional competitiveness.
West African ports in countries such as Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic, equipped with modern facilities and digital trade systems, have captured significant volumes of cargo originally destined for Nigeria.
The result has been a paradox: Africa’s largest economy operating with ports that have struggled to match the capacity and efficiency of smaller neighbouring economies.
Addressing this gap has therefore become central to the maritime reform agenda of the Tinubu administration.
Ports Reconstruction and Modernisation
A cornerstone of the reform programme is the large-scale reconstruction and modernisation of Nigeria’s major seaports.
The federal government has initiated an ambitious infrastructure renewal plan targeting key facilities including Apapa, Tin Can Island, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar ports.
The objective is to upgrade quay walls, deepen channels, modernise cargo-handling equipment and expand terminal capacity to accommodate larger vessels and increased trade volumes.
The strategy reflects a recognition that efficient ports are indispensable to economic growth.
 Modern ports reduce vessel turnaround time, lower freight costs and enhance supply chain efficiency, factors that directly influence a country’s competitiveness in international trade.
Early indicators suggest that these reforms are already beginning to produce measurable results.
 Nigeria’s cargo throughput recorded a significant surge in recent years, rising by 45.1 per cent to 103.3 million tonnes, while ship calls increased to more than 4,000 vessels across Nigerian ports. Container traffic also climbed to 1.74 million TEUs, reflecting growing trade activity and increased export shipments.
 These improvements highlight the economic potential that could be unlocked when infrastructure upgrades are combined with operational reforms.
One of the most immediate advantages of port modernisation is the improvement in operational efficiency.
 Many of Nigeria’s major ports were constructed several decades ago and have struggled to cope with the demands of modern shipping and cargo handling.
Ageing quay walls, shallow drafts, obsolete equipment and limited cargo-handling capacity have often resulted in congestion and long vessel waiting times.
Modernisation programmes that involve infrastructure upgrades, channel deepening and the deployment of modern cargo-handling equipment will significantly reduce vessel turnaround time and cargo dwell time.
Faster port operations mean ships spend less time waiting to berth, while cargo is cleared more quickly, improving the overall efficiency of the logistics chain.
Inefficient ports often translate to higher logistics costs for importers, exporters and shipping companies.
Delays in cargo clearance lead to additional charges such as demurrage, storage and handling fees, which are ultimately passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.
By improving infrastructure and operational processes, port modernisation will lower these costs and make Nigerian ports more attractive to shipping lines and international investors.
This could also reverse the long-standing trend of Nigerian cargo being diverted to neighbouring ports in countries such as Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana.
Digital Transformation Via NSW
Infrastructure alone, however, cannot deliver a competitive port system without complementary digital reforms.
 This is where the National Single Window (NSW) initiative becomes critical.
Last week, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced that Nigeria will launch the National Single Trade Window platform on March 27.
He described the initiative as a monumental reform aimed at transforming the country’s trade ecosystem by simplifying procedures, improving efficiency and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.
According to him, the initiative, which was first introduced by President Bola Tinubu nearly two years ago, represents a far-reaching fiscal reform designed to modernise Nigeria’s trade processes.
“We are about to launch yet another reform, fiscal reform by this administration, which in its nature will be very transformational,” he said.
The NSW is designed as an integrated digital platform that enables traders to submit all import, export and transit documentation through a single electronic interface rather than interacting with multiple government agencies.
The NSW seeks to eliminate these inefficiencies by creating a unified digital ecosystem that integrates all trade-related processes.
The implementation of the National Single Window adds a critical digital dimension to these reforms.
The NSW is an integrated electronic platform that allows traders to submit all import and export documentation through a single portal rather than dealing separately with multiple government agencies.
In the traditional system, importers and exporters are required to process documentation with several regulatory bodies, including customs, port authorities and inspection agencies.
This fragmented process often leads to duplication, delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
 The National Single Window eliminates these inefficiencies by integrating all trade-related processes into one digital ecosystem.
The result is faster cargo clearance, improved transparency and greater accountability in port operations.
Digital platforms reduce human intervention in administrative processes, thereby minimising opportunities for corruption and revenue leakages.
 In addition, real-time information sharing among stakeholders enhances coordination and improves decision-making across the maritime value chain.
From a macro economic perspective, these reforms have the potential to significantly boost government revenue and stimulate economic growth.
Efficient ports facilitate increased trade volumes, which in turn lead to higher customs duties, port charges and related maritime revenues.
Improved logistics infrastructure also supports export-oriented industries by ensuring that Nigerian products can reach international markets more efficiently.
Furthermore, modern ports and digital trade systems can attract foreign direct investment into sectors such as shipping, logistics, manufacturing and maritime services.
Investors are typically drawn to economies with reliable infrastructure and efficient trade systems, and the ongoing reforms are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global trading environment.
Ultimately, the combined impact of port modernisation and the National Single Window will extend beyond the maritime sector.
By improving trade facilitation, lowering logistics costs and enhancing revenue generation, these reforms will contribute to broader economic diversification and position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa.
Analysts project that a fully operational National Single Window could boost customs revenue by 10 to 20 per cent annually, translating into an additional N600 billion to N1.2 trillion in government earnings.
Beyond revenue generation, the system could reduce cargo dwell time by 35 to 45 per cent and cut overall trade transaction costs by up to 25 per cent.
Such improvements would significantly enhance Nigeria’s logistics performance and ease of doing business.
NPA’s Operational Leadership
The successful implementation of these reforms depends heavily on the institutional leadership of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Under the leadership of Abubakar Dantsoho, the NPA has intensified efforts to modernise infrastructure, strengthen digital systems and improve operational efficiency across the nation’s port network.
The authority’s reform agenda includes the deployment of advanced automation tools such as the Port Community System, the Vessel Traffic Management System and digital cargo tracking platforms.
These initiatives are designed to enhance real-time coordination among port stakeholders and create the technological backbone required for the National Single Window to function effectively.
 The impact of these reforms is also reflected in the financial performance of the NPA.
The authority generated N894.86 billion in revenue in 2024 and is projecting N1.28 trillion in revenue for 2025, driven largely by increased cargo traffic, digital automation and infrastructure upgrades.
 Additionally, the NPA remitted a record N400.8 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in 2024, nearly double the amount remitted the previous year.
These figures underscore the growing economic significance of Nigeria’s maritime sector when supported by effective institutional leadership.
Oyetola’s Policy Coordination
While the NPA handles operational execution, the broader policy direction guiding the reforms comes from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy led by Adegboyega Oyetola.
The establishment of the ministry itself marked a strategic shift in Nigeria’s economic planning by recognising the maritime domain as a critical driver of national development.
The blue economy encompasses a wide range of activities including shipping, fisheries, marine transport, offshore energy and coastal tourism.
For Nigeria — with over 850 kilometres of coastline and vast maritime resources — these sectors represent enormous untapped economic potential.
Oyetola’s policy framework focuses on strengthening maritime governance, enhancing regulatory coordination and attracting investment into port infrastructure and maritime services.
By aligning policy reforms with infrastructure upgrades and digital transformation, the ministry aims to build a maritime ecosystem capable of supporting Nigeria’s long-term economic diversification.
Expanding Maritime Trade
Another key objective of the reform programme is to position Nigeria as a major maritime logistics hub in West and Central Africa.
Nigeria’s geographic location already places it along some of the busiest shipping routes connecting Europe, Asia and the Americas with Africa.
However, inefficiencies in port operations historically prevented the country from fully capitalising on this advantage.
With modern infrastructure, improved digital systems and streamlined regulatory processes, Nigeria’s ports could become the preferred destination for cargo serving the West African sub-region.
Evidence of this emerging potential can already be seen in the growing role of ports such as Lekki Deep Sea Port, which has significantly increased container traffic and trans-shipment volumes.
The development of modern ports alongside improved inland logistics networks could transform Nigeria into a regional redistribution centre for maritime trade.

Economic Multipliers

The broader economic implications of these reforms extend far beyond the port terminals themselves.

Efficient ports stimulate economic activity across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and international trade.
Faster cargo clearance reduces production delays for industries that rely on imported raw materials, while improved export logistics enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products in global markets.
Digital trade systems also improve transparency and reduce revenue leakages, strengthening government finances.
In addition, maritime infrastructure investments create employment opportunities across engineering, logistics, information technology and port operations.
Analysts estimate that a fully operational digital maritime ecosystem could generate over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs across the logistics and ICT sectors.
Such economic multipliers highlight why the maritime sector is increasingly viewed as a strategic pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy.
Charting Nigeria’s Maritime Future
The reforms being implemented in Nigeria’s maritime sector represent one of the most significant structural transformations of the country’s trade infrastructure in decades.
By combining port modernisation with digital trade facilitation, the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is laying the groundwork for a more efficient and globally competitive port system.
With strong policy coordination from Adegboyega Oyetola and operational leadership from Abubakar Dantsoho at the Nigerian Ports Authority, the maritime sector is gradually being repositioned as a major driver of national economic growth.
If sustained and fully implemented, these reforms could transform Nigeria’s ports into modern logistics gateways capable of supporting industrial expansion, regional trade integration and long-term economic prosperity.
In many ways, the success of this maritime transformation will not only redefine the efficiency of Nigeria’s port system but also shape the country’s role in the future architecture of global trade.
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Realtors seek partnership with Lagos Govt on Omi Eko waterways  transportation project.

Funso OLOJO, Editor.
The €410m foreign creditors  – backed Omi Eko water transportation project of Lagos state government has received a big boost with the interest shown by the  International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI).
The professional Realtors have approached the Lagos state government through the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) to explore areas of collaboration around Lagos State’s expanding water transportation system and its broader Blue Economy potential.
The delegation was led by Akin Opatola,  President of FIABCI Nigeria and  Mr. Adeniji Adele, President of FIABCI Africa and the Near East, as well as senior officials and members of the international real estate federation.
The delegation was received by Mr Emmanuel Oluwadamilola, the General Manager of LASWA who also doubles as Special Adviser on Blue Economy to the Governor of Lagos State.
The two parties discussed the Lagos State’s ambitious efforts to modernize its inland waterways transport system through the OMI EKO Water Transport Project.
The LASWA General Manager outlined the strategic direction of the project and its role in transforming urban mobility across Lagos.
According to  him, the initiative is designed to decongest Lagos roads, improve productivity, reduce transportation costs, and lower carbon emissions, while positioning water transportation as a central pillar of Lagos State’s urban mobility strategy.
He further disclosed that the project will introduce modern ferry operations supported by electrified vessels, upgraded terminals, and integrated transport infrastructure, creating a cleaner and more efficient water transport ecosystem.
Mr Oluwadamilola further told FIABCI delegation that OMI EKO project is supported by a strong international financing structure including, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) – €130 million loan, European Investment Bank (EIB) – €170 million loan, European Union – €60 million grant
Lagos State Government – €40 million counterpart funding
Private sector participation in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
Also, the project will deliver 15 ferry routes across Lagos waterways,
Dredging and marking of approximately 140 kilometers of navigable channels,
Development of 25 modern ferry terminals and jetties, Deployment of electric ferries, Integrated ticketing and improved waterway safety infrastructure.
Following the presentation, members of the visiting FIABCI delegation engaged the LASWA leadership in a round of questions and observations, seeking further clarification on the implementation framework of the OMI EKO project.
Members of the delegation sought insights into issues including terminal development opportunities, private sector participation, integration with urban planning, and the long-term investment potential of Lagos’ water transport corridors.
Mr. Oluwadamilola further elaborated  on the project’s structure and the strategic vision of Lagos State to position water transportation as a key pillar of the state’s evolving Blue Economy.
Speaking during the meeting, FIABCI Nigeria President, Akin Opatola, noted that the modernization of Lagos waterways presents a strategic opportunity to rethink how cities integrate transport infrastructure with real estate and urban development.
Opatola emphasized that major water transport infrastructure projects such as the OMI EKO initiative create new corridors of economic activity, particularly around ferry terminals and waterfront locations.
He stated that the real estate sector has a critical role to play in supporting such infrastructure through transport-oriented development, waterfront regeneration, and the creation of mixed-use economic hubs that can stimulate sustainable urban growth.
He further noted that FIABCI members, as professionals in the real estate and development ecosystem, are keen to explore ways in which urban planning, investment, and property development can align with Lagos State’s water transportation expansion.
Also speaking, Mr. Adeniji Adele, President of FIABCI Africa and the Near East, observed that Lagos is uniquely positioned to become a leading example in Africa of how coastal cities can leverage their waterways to drive mobility, economic development, and sustainable waterfront investment.
He noted that global cities that successfully integrate their waterways into urban life often unlock significant real estate and tourism value, and expressed optimism that Lagos could replicate similar outcomes as the OMI EKO project unfolds.
 Ubong Essien, Founder of the Blue Economy Academy, emphasized the importance of collaboration among government agencies, industry professionals, and investors in delivering large-scale maritime infrastructure initiatives.
Essien noted that Nigeria’s experience in strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea demonstrated that successful sector transformation often begins when all stakeholders are brought to the table at the earliest stages of major projects.
He also pointed out that the 25 ferry terminals planned under the OMI EKO project represent significant opportunities for transport-oriented waterfront development across Lagos, creating new intersections between mobility infrastructure, urban development, and the Blue Economy.
The visit underscores the growing recognition of Lagos waterways as a strategic mobility and economic infrastructure for Africa’s largest city.
It could be recalled that the Omi Eko project was launched in October, 2025.
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