Lagos waterways record 6.7% growth in passenger traffic in H1 of 2026 

By Oluwabunmi Ogunjimi

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 growth, according to the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), which projects that ridership could double to five million by the end of the year.

According to the agency’s General Manager, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, the moderated performance was largely attributed to the global rise in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which increased operational costs and, consequently, passenger fares.

Looking ahead, the outlook for waterway transportation in Lagos remains positive, with the planned deployment of OMIBUS electric-powered boats by the Lagos State Government expected to significantly reduce operators’ operating expenses and create room for more affordable fares for commuters.

The introduction of electric-powered boats is also expected to support the state’s efforts to promote cleaner and more sustainable transportation, while reducing the impact of rising fuel costs on waterway operations.

According to the agency, the anticipated reduction in operating costs could encourage operators to improve their services and provide more competitive fares, thereby making water transportation a more attractive alternative for residents travelling within Lagos and its environs.

It added that existing operators were also exploring innovative approaches to improve their services, address operational challenges and enhance the overall passenger experience.

The agency said these measures, alongside continued investment in waterways infrastructure and safety, would help strengthen the sector and attract more commuters.

With the combination of lower operating costs, improved services and increased adoption of water transportation, passenger patronage is expected to rise significantly.

The agency projected that passenger ridership on the state’s waterways could reach about five million by the end of 2026, representing a significant increase from the 2.5 million commuters recorded in the first half of the year.

A breakdown of the figures showed that 419,483 commuters used the waterways in January 2026, while February recorded the lowest monthly figure of 299,065, compared with 390,237 and 325,419 commuters recorded in the corresponding months of 2025, respectively.

The figure rose further in 2026, reaching 421,061 passenger movements in March and 430,910 in April, compared with 385,683 and 397,926, respectively, recorded during the corresponding months of 2025.

In May and June 2026, passenger movements rose further to 451,308 and 467,854, respectively, with June recording the highest patronage during the period. By comparison, the corresponding months in 2025 recorded 408,751 and 418,564 passenger movements, respectively.

A further breakdown of the statistics showed that 995,763 female passengers used the waterways in the first half of 2026, up from 930,632 recorded during the corresponding period in 2025. Male passengers, however, accounted for a higher figure of 1,493,645 in 2026, compared with 1,395,948 recorded in the first half of 20

25.