LASWA Launches First Ferry Safety Development and Mentoring Programme in Lagos

By Stella Okocha 

The Lagos State Government through the extension of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) , officially launched its first Ferry Safety Development and Mentoring Programme,.

The program reaffirms the government’s commitment t to this cause as renewed vigor and ambition towards safer waterways, and also seen as a major step toward building a secure and globally competitive blue economy.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy and Managing Director of LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, while speaking during the programme at the LASWA headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday, said the initiative reflects the state’s deliberate efforts to prioritise safety while expanding water transportation.

Mr Oluwadamilola while describing the initiative as historic, stressed that improving safety across Lagos waterways is not optional but a critical responsibility.; noting that the blue economy remains central to the development agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to him, the programme will combine self-paced learning, virtual mentorship, and practical hands-on sessions, ensuring participants gain both theoretical knowledge and real-world experience.

He explained that over the next 18 months, 50 selected ferry professionals—including captains, engineers, deckhands, and safety officers—will undergo intensive training designed to enhance their technical capacity and operational efficiency.

According to the special adviser, “Over the next 18 months, fifty exceptional ferry professionals will embark on a transformative journey of training and mentorship, guided by world-class experts from Interferry and Nigeria’s leading maritime institutions” .

He added that the mentorship programme, which is organised by LASWA in collaboration with Interferry, a global ferry association with consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), brings together key stakeholders in the maritime sector to strengthen operational standards.

“This collaboration with Interferry underscores Lagos State’s strong commitment to protecting lives on our waterways and ensuring that every journey is safe,” Emmanuel said, urging participants to see the training as both a privilege and a huge responsibility to take full advantage of the opportunity.

The Chief Executive Officer of Interferry, Mr. Mike Corrigan, while giving his speech at the event, said the initiative is part of a broader global effort to improve ferry safety in emerging economies while supporting sustainable economic growth.

Corrigan noted that similar programmes had previously been implemented in Asia-Pacific countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia, before expanding to Africa in 2024 in response to growing safety concerns.

He revealed that a series of workshops held in cities like Dar es Salaam and Marrakesh laid the groundwork for the initiative, while a major regional safety conference hosted in Lagos in 2025 attracted about 250 industry stakeholders.

According to him, that conference ultimately led to the development of the current 18-month mentorship programme, which features structured training modules and ongoing support from Interferry experts and international volunteers.

He added that the organisation remains committed to long-term collaboration, with plans to extend the programme across Nigeria and other African countries to significantly improve safety standards for both passengers and crew.

In a goodwill remark, Mr. Kelvin Abah of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) commended LASWA and Interferry for the initiative, describing it as a critical intervention in the sector.

Abah emphasised that safety on the waterways is a collective responsibility, adding that efficient and reliable water transport is essential for unlocking the full potential of the blue economy. He noted that Lagos is setting a commendable benchmark for other states.

Mr. Stanley Wali of the Health and Safety department of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), described the programme as timely, citing that it represents a bold step toward strengthening safety standards across Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Wali reaffirmed NIMASA’s commitment to upholding international maritime conventions, advocating that increased knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders would play a vital role in reducing accidents and improving overall safety on the waterways.