Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has launched the $410 million Omi-Eko Project, describing it as a transformative step toward turning Lagos’ waterways from barriers of separation into “corridors of opportunity.” Speaking at the official unveiling in Lagos on Friday, Sanwo-Olu said the initiative, meaning “Water of Lagos”, represents a major shift toward sustainable, smart, and inclusive urban mobility.
The Omi-Eko Project aims to decongest Lagos roads by harnessing the state’s waterways for efficient transport, while integrating clean energy and digital technology. “Our goal is clear: a Lagos where movement is seamless, the air is cleaner, and the waterways become corridors of opportunity,” Sanwo-Olu said.
According to Damilola Emmanuel, Special Adviser on Blue Economy, Omi-Eko is the largest inland waterway investment in Africa and will deploy over 70 hybrid-electric ferries, upgrade 20 jetties, and dredge 15 routes to improve safety and speed. The project enjoys support from the European Union, European Investment Bank, and Agence Française de Développement.
EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot hailed the project as a key component of the Abidjan–Lagos Transport Corridor, expected to cut CO₂ emissions by 41,000 tonnes annually and save 25 million passengers up to three hours per trip. French Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called the initiative a milestone in Franco-Nigerian cooperation and a model for Africa’s blue economy.
