By Prosper Mene
Lagos, Nigeria โ October 17, 2025
The European Union (EU) has praised Lagos State’s new water transport project, called Omi Eko, for making travel safer, especially for women. EU Head Gautier Mignot spoke at a meeting on Friday, saying it will help ease traffic and protect female passengers in the busy city.
“This project will change water travel in Lagos. It will cut road jams and make things safer for women,” Mignot said. He thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for leading the โฌ410 million plan, which includes new boats, terminals, and security features.
Omi Eko means “Lagos water” in Yoruba. It’s part of the state’s plan to fight climate change. The EU and partners are giving most of the money: โฌ360 million from Europe, plus โฌ40 million from Lagos and โฌ10 million from companies. It starts in June 2025 and finishes by 2030. The project will clean 140 km of waterways, add 78 electric ferries, and build or fix 25 terminals.
Safety is a big focus because women often face dangers on buses and roads. New terminals will have cameras, lights, safe waiting spots, and easy payments with Cowry Card. “We want everyone to feel secure,” said Oluwadamilola Emmanuel from the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
The project could shorten trips by half and use clean energy to reduce pollution. Soon, waterways might handle 10% of commuters, up from 2% now. Governor Sanwo-Olu calls it a key step for better roads, rails, and rivers. It will create jobs and help the economy grow.
For commuter Ivy Junaid, it’s good news. “Ferries are faster, but safety worries me. Better lights and cameras will help a lot,” she said.
Lagos has 20 million people and bad traffic. This project could inspire other African cities. The EU sees it as a strong partnership with Nigeria.
