Sanwo-Olu launches the €410 Million EU-Funded Omi-Eko Water Transport Project

Posted by Fred.mie on October 20, 2025 0

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on October 17, officially launched OMI EKO, Lagos State’s long-awaited EUR 410 million inland waterways transportation project.

The initiative has now moved from plan to reality, having been developed with the European Union to address the mobility needs of Lagosians. The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) will implement the two-component project, with the second phase expected to be completed by 2030.

According to a statement by Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity for the Governor, Lagos secured the funding via the Global Gateway Initiative, the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the European Investment Bank (EIB), which earmarked a subsidised loan of EUR 360 million for the project.

The first component covers the channelisation, marking, and dredging of 140 km of ferry routes, from which Lagos will develop 15 priority routes. The complete inland waterways transport infrastructure will comprise 25 ferry terminals and jetties equipped with electric charging facilities for e-vessels. It will also include onshore depots for routine vessel maintenance and land connections, such as road surfacing, to link other transport services to the ferry terminals.

Sanwo-Olu described the Omi-Eko launch as “historic,” noting the event was not just an unveiling ceremony but a “bold statement” reaffirming Lagos’s leadership in delivering a sustainable integrated water transportation ecosystem.

The governor said exploring the full potential of waterways transportation is a critical priority in his administration’s THEMES+ Agenda to transform mobility in the metropolis.

He said, “Every Lagosian knows the frustration of traffic. But a few will remember that Lagos began as a network of islands, knitted together by water. Long before bridges connected cities, boats carried dreams, goods, and people across the lagoons. This water body nourishes us, shapes the state’s identity, and now, it will carry us into the future.

“The OMI-EKO project is a comprehensive, future-oriented blueprint for sustainable mobility in Lagos. It merges technology, environmental stewardship, and smart design to create waterways that are not just navigated but optimised. This is the kind of innovative project cities around the world are building to confront the twin challenges of urban population growth and climate change. Lagos is not waiting to catch up; we are setting the pace.”

The project is expected to reduce the negative impact of transport on health while reinforcing the state’s ability to combat climate change and promoting more inclusive, resilient mobility.

The investment will bring decarbonised transportation to Lagos, reducing CO₂ emissions by 41,000 tonnes annually. It is expected to serve 25,000 passengers yearly, saving travel time by 3 hours on each trip.

Sanwo-Olu said the investment’s objective is to make water transportation seamless, reduce the carbon footprint, clean the air, and transform waterways from barriers into corridors of opportunity.

The governor said, “The launch of this project is more than a ceremonial curtain pull. It is a covenant with our people, our planet, and future generations. With OMI-EKO, we are lifting not only boats but also lives, businesses, and communities. We are signalling that Lagos is ready to lead Africa’s urban transition with this bold, sustainable, and inclusive investment.”

Former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who created LASWA in 2008, also graced the ceremony. The former Minister of Works and Housing hailed the Sanwo-Olu administration for nurturing the agency into a viable global entity. Fashola stated that the OMI-EKO project would further expand the state’s integrated transportation network, expressing optimism that the project would not stall due to the commitment of the European partners.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Seun Osiyemi, said the project would unlock the full potential of Lagos’s inland waterways, bringing the final piece of the state’s Integrated Multimodal Transportation System to life.

“OMI-EKO aligns with broader Lagos Transport Policy, which promotes sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, while ensuring that transport solutions serve the people while protecting the environment. The project is not just about ferry operations; it is about empowering communities, creating jobs, easing congestion, and reducing our carbon footprint.”

Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy and head of LASWA, noted that the OMI-EKO project is no longer a dream but a reality that will change the course of transportation in Lagos. He added that the 70 hybrid electric ferries to be deployed after the project’s completion will reduce pollutant emissions and boost clean mobility. The head of LASWA announced the upgrade of 20 existing jetties with modern terminals spanning 15 major water routes.

Emmanuel said, “In the first phase, there will be dredging and channelisation of 15 ferry routes for safer and faster transport. Part of the benefits include technology transfer and capacity development for key agencies in the waterways, especially LASWA. There will be funding for the informal boat sector under our Vessel Industry. This is how we build a water-based economy that works for all, from operators to passengers, from private investors to our citizens.“

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Mr. Jean-Noel Barrot said the project received complete support from EU partners, given the untapped opportunities in Lagos waterways. The envoy noted the development was part of the bilateral cooperation success achieved during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to French President Emmanuel Macron.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Gautier Mignot, called the partnership a historical milestone for Lagos and EU member states, stressing that the investment would enhance the quality of life.

“This investment supports the development of 12 strategic waterway corridors to enhance secure and efficient sustainable transport networks. Four of these corridors are located in West Africa. We are proud to be part of this project, which showcases all the aspects of global gateway development,” Mignot said.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) And Answers

What is the OMI EKO project?

It is a EUR 410 million inland waterways transportation project in Lagos State, developed in partnership with the European Union. It aims to provide rapid, sustainable transport options to ease traffic congestion.

Who is funding the OMI EKO project?

The project is funded via the Global Gateway Initiative, with a subsidised loan of EUR 360 million from the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

What will the project include?

The project will involve dredging 140 km of ferry routes, developing 15 priority routes, building 25 ferry terminals with electric charging, deploying 70 hybrid electric ferries, and upgrading 20 existing jetties.

What are the main goals of the project?

The primary goals are to ease traffic frustration, reduce CO2 emissions by 41,000 tonnes annually, create jobs, empower communities, and provide a seamless, clean, and inclusive transportation system for Lagos.