The Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) transported 2.5 million passengers in the last five years.
The Managing Director of LAGFERRY, Mr Abdoulbaq Balogun, gave the figure on the sidelines of the organisation’s 2025 Strategic Management Retreat on Saturday in Lagos.
The retreat had the theme: ‘Advancing Water Transportation for a Sustainable Lagos’.
Balogun said that LAGFERRY had 19 terminals and 23 routes for its operations.
He praised the state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for support.
“On Feb. 16, 2020, LAGFERRY had seven locally-manufactured boats added to its fleet, and this led to the service having 12 boats in its fleet, and they were commissioned by Gov. Sanwo-Olu at Badore Terminal, Ajah,” he said.
Balogun said that Sanwo-Olu then promised Lagos residents more ferries.
“In July 2021, at Fivecowries Terminal, Falomo, Ikoyi, Sanwo-Olu fulfilled his promise and gave us additional seven boats.”
Balogun listed LAGFERRY’s achievements from February 2020 to June 2025 to include creation of 300 jobs, 745,851km coverage on waterways, and 27,337 trips.
He added that the organisation recorded 31,272 hours of operations – equivalent of 1,303 days – and recorded 923,120 trucks movement through LAGFERRY’s multipurpose barges.
He listed LAGFERRY’s strategic plans for the future to include exploration, activation and operation on more routes, digitalisation of operations, and establishment of a maintenance and repairs workshop.
“We are also pushing for procurement of more boats, conversion of existing PMS- powered boats to compressed natural gas-powered boats or electric boats.”
He noted that operations of LAGFERRY had been faced with some challenges, but said that in spite of the challenges, LAGFERRY remained a model to other water transport service providers.
“We are here to set standards and not to compete with anyone.
“What has been achieved within five years of active operations are being evaluated to develop a strategic roadmap for sustainable water transportation.
“This will include business profitability prospects, returns on investment, exit strategy,” he said.
The managing director said that the administration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had proven to be committed to water transport sustainability.
