Projects 5 million passenger movements by year-end
By Godwin Oritse
Lagos waterways recorded 2.5 million passenger movements between January and June 2026, up from 2.3 million in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 6.7 per cent increase.
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said the growth was recorded despite the impact of rising fuel costs on water transportation, and projected that passenger traffic could reach five million by the end of 2026.
The General Manager of LASWA, Mr Damilola Emmanuel, attributed the relatively modest growth in the first half of the year largely to the global increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which raised operating costs and subsequently affected passenger fares.
Emmanuel, however, said the outlook for water transportation in Lagos remained positive, particularly with the planned deployment of OMIBUS electric-powered boats by the state government.
According to him, the introduction of electric-powered boats is expected to reduce operators’ operating costs and create room for more affordable fares for commuters.
The initiative is also expected to support the state government’s efforts to promote cleaner and more sustainable transportation while reducing the impact of rising fuel costs on waterway operations.
LASWA said the anticipated reduction in operating costs could encourage operators to improve their services and offer more competitive fares, making water transportation a more attractive alternative for residents travelling within Lagos and its environs.
The agency added that existing operators were exploring innovative approaches to improve their services, address operational challenges and enhance the overall passenger experience.
It said continued investment in waterways infrastructure and safety, alongside improved services, would help strengthen the sector and attract more commuters.
LASWA projected that passenger ridership on the state’s waterways could reach about five million by the end of 2026, following the 2.5 million passenger movements recorded in the first half of the year.
A breakdown of the figures showed that 419,483 commuters used the waterways in January 2026, compared with 390,237 in the corresponding month of 2025.
Passenger movements fell to 299,065 in February 2026, compared with 325,419 recorded in February 2025.
The figure rose to 421,061 in March and 430,910 in April 2026, compared with 385,683 and 397,926, respectively, recorded in the corresponding months of 2025.
In May and June 2026, passenger movements increased further to 451,308 and 467,854, respectively. June recorded the highest monthly patronage during the six-month period.
By comparison, the corresponding figures for May and June 2025 were 408,751 and 418,564 passenger movements, respectively.
Further analysis of the statistics showed that female passengers accounted for 995,763 passenger movements in the first half of 2026, up from 930,632 recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
Male passengers accounted for 1,493,645 movements in the first half of 2026, compared with 1,395,948 recorded in the same period of 2025.
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