Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry have urged the Federal Government and private sector players to ramp up investments in the country’s inland waterways, describing such action as vital to unlocking the nation’s blue economy potential and improving livelihoods in coastal communities.
Speaking at the 3rd Ehingbeti Blue Economy Hub on Tuesday, the Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engr. Sarat Braimah, emphasized that waterways are central to the economic and social wellbeing of riverine communities.
Braimah lamented that despite Nigeria’s vast water resources, the country still trails behind global counterparts in harnessing inland waterways for transportation, trade, and development.
“Inland waterways form a major part of the daily activities of communities surrounded by water. There are huge potentials in these waterways, which is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu established the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy,” she said.
According to her, Nigeria’s 28 littoral states are interconnected by navigable waters, with access to five West African countries — a geographical advantage that, if properly developed, could boost regional trade and sustainable transport.
Braimah cited China’s massive investment in inland waterways as an example Nigeria should emulate, noting that the Asian nation’s progress in the last five years has contributed significantly to its global prominence.
“If you go to China today, their investment in inland waterways has transformed their economy. Nigeria can achieve the same if we make the right commitments,” she added.
While commending the Tinubu administration for creating the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, Braimah stressed that policies and seminars must be matched with tangible investments. She called for targeted funding in critical infrastructure such as river dredging, port development, and navigational aids — projects she described as capital-intensive but essential for long-term growth.
“Our leaders must invest not only in projects with immediate results but also in those with lasting impact. River dredging, for instance, can open up communities, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth,” she noted.
Also speaking, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd.), former Minister of Communications and Chairman of the occasion, decried the persistent neglect of indigenous coastal communities, despite Nigeria’s vast maritime wealth.
He criticized policies that exclude local populations from economic benefits, urging reforms that prioritize inclusivity and poverty alleviation.
Olanrewaju recalled the historic Ehingbeti era, when coastal trade powered Lagos’ prosperity, lamenting that the same communities now remain marginalized. He emphasized that the objective of the Ehingbeti Blue Economy Hub is to promote an inclusive, people-centered approach to Lagos’ coastal development.
In her remarks, the Convener of the 3rd Ehingbeti Blue Economy Hub, Mrs. Violet Olaitan Williams, underscored the importance of community engagement and sustainability in driving Nigeria’s blue economy.
“The theme of this year’s hub — ‘The Renaissance of Ehingbeti in Community Engagement and Inclusivity’ — highlights the need to involve our coastal communities in policy creation and implementation,” she said.
Williams noted that the production of an audio-visual documentary and a book on Ehingbeti’s historical significance reflects the hub’s commitment to preserving maritime heritage and promoting sustainable ocean resource development.
Similarly, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN) advocated the creation of an Ehingbeti Water Transportation Service, calling on stakeholders to support the initiative as a landmark project for indigenous coastal communities.
