By Seun Ibiyemi
A coalition of indigenous maritime tourism and transportation investors has pledged to unlock strategic investment opportunities aimed at developing Nigeria’s largely untapped maritime tourism economy, particularly for littoral communities in Lagos and across the country.
The group, Allied Concessionaries and Blue Economy Alliance, made the commitment during a courtesy visit to the Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engineer Sarat Braimah, at the NIWA Lagos Area Office on Tuesday.
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Chairman of the coalition, Bolaji Olasade, said the alliance comprises reputable maritime tourism and transportation operators committed to redefining waterfront recreation and hospitality by integrating safe and efficient water transport systems.
According to him, the initiative is designed to create jobs, boost coastal tourism, and expand economic opportunities within Lagos and beyond.
“We came to formally introduce our coalition, which is not a conventional association but a consortium of visible and tested operators, mostly concessionaires, who are willing and ready to collaborate with NIWA to grow and develop inland waterways tourism infrastructure.
We are also focused on opening up littoral communities through destination marketing and the promotion of resorts,” Olasade said.
He noted that the group aims to reposition Nigeria’s brown water and blue economy sectors by transforming the country’s waterfront hospitality and tourism landscape into a globally competitive industry.
In her remarks, the Secretary of the coalition, Barrister Dorcas Aderemi, stressed that the Nigerian marine and blue economy sector can only thrive if the inland waterways ecosystem is strategically aligned for sustainable investment and funding.
She called for a structured public-private partnership model between private investors and NIWA to accelerate development and improve inland waterways utilisation.
Aderemi added that such collaboration would stimulate economic growth, generate employment, and enhance government revenue.
The delegation commended Engineer Braimah for her leadership, particularly her zero-tolerance stance on boat transportation accidents and security infractions on Lagos inland waterways. They also congratulated her on her recent Nelson Mandela Pan-African Leadership Award, describing it as recognition of her commitment to national service.
Responding, Braimah welcomed the coalition and expressed appreciation for its interest in partnering with NIWA. She affirmed the Authority’s readiness to collaborate with serious investors to unlock opportunities within the inland waterways corridor in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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“We recognize that NIWA cannot achieve its mandate alone without the private sector, especially genuine investors with financial commitment to the industry.
We will communicate your proposals to our headquarters in Abuja to explore how your group can leverage existing opportunities,” she said.
The Area Manager also highlighted the need to modernise inland water transportation by introducing new boats and ferries to gradually phase out outdated watercraft, thereby enhancing safety, efficiency, and overall value across the waterways transportation and hospitality sectors.
She urged the coalition to remain united, avoid internal conflicts, and focus on delivering meaningful impact for littoral communities, stressing that such communities must be actively engaged and empowered to benefit from maritime tourism and transportation initiatives within their environment.
