Lagos waterways recorded 2.5 million passenger movements between January and June 2026, representing a 6.7 per cent increase compared with the 2.3 million recorded during the same period in 2025.
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said the growth was achieved despite rising fuel costs, which have increased the cost of operating water transportation and affected passenger fares.
The agency projected that passenger traffic on Lagos waterways could reach five million by the end of 2026.
LASWA General Manager, Damilola Emmanuel, attributed the relatively modest growth in the first half of the year to the global increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). According to him, higher fuel prices have pushed up operating expenses for water transport operators and contributed to increased fares for commuters.
Despite the challenges, Emmanuel said the outlook for water transportation in Lagos remained positive, particularly with the planned introduction of OMIBUS electric-powered boats by the state government.
He explained that electric-powered boats could help reduce operating costs for transport operators and potentially make fares more affordable for commuters.
The initiative is also expected to support Lagos State’s efforts to promote cleaner and more sustainable transportation while reducing the impact of rising fuel costs on waterway operations.
LASWA said lower operating costs could encourage transport operators to improve their services and offer more competitive fares, making water transportation a more attractive option for residents travelling within Lagos and surrounding areas.
The agency added that existing operators were exploring new approaches to improve their services, tackle operational challenges and provide passengers with a better travel experience.
LASWA also emphasised the importance of continued investment in waterways infrastructure and safety, noting that better infrastructure and improved services would help attract more commuters to water transportation.
Passenger movements stood at 419,483 in January 2026, compared with 390,237 recorded in January 2025. However, the figure dropped to 299,065 in February 2026, from 325,419 in the corresponding month of 2025.
Traffic increased again in March and April, reaching 421,061 and 430,910 passenger movements respectively. The corresponding figures for March and April 2025 were 385,683 and 397,926.
Passenger traffic continued to rise in May and June 2026, reaching 451,308 and 467,854 respectively. June recorded the highest monthly passenger movement during the six-month period, compared with 418,564 recorded in June 2025.
Gender-based figures showed that female passengers accounted for 995,763 passenger movements in the first half of 2026, compared with 930,632 during the same period in 2025.
Male passengers recorded 1,493,645 movements in the first half of 2026, up from 1,395,948 recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
With passenger traffic already reaching 2.5 million in the first six months of the year, LASWA expects continued growth and believes the deployment of electric-powered boats, alongside improved infrastructure and services, could help push total passenger movements to about five million by the end of 2026.
