Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that Lagos’ water transport sector is reeling under an economic crisis that has reduced passenger patronage and forced operators to radically reshuffle services or find alternative business to keep up with the current economic realities.
Observations from major jetties across Lagos, including Marina and Liverpool, Mile Two and Ojo jetties indicate a steep decline in patronage even during peak hours, compelling boat operators and even other corporate water transport companies to alternate operating days amid dwindling patronage.
Recall that the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Mr. Bola Oyebamiji during the 2025 Management Retreat at NIWA headquarters in Lokoja, expressed concerns over the underperformance of several Area Offices in 2024, particularly in the area of revenue generation.
Oyebamiji lamented that it is unfortunate that many of the area offices didn’t perform optimally, revenue-wise which can be traceable to the level of business activities on the inland waterways. Consequently, he stated that NIWA would be taking a stricter approach to ensure accountability and improved performance in 2025.
Our correspondent who visited several jetties across Lagos last week observed a notably low turnout of passengers even during peak hours at mornings and evenings. Specifically at the Marina Jetty, Sea Coach, a well-known water transport company originally operating from the NIWA Lagos Area office, has been forced to alternate its operations with Texas Connection on a day-to-day basis. This shift comes as a direct response to dwindling passenger numbers.
At the Liverpool jetty in Apapa, the situation is similarly bleak. Few boats were in operation, and those that were active carried few passengers. Notably, most government and corporate workers mainly patronise Lagferry boat services, leaving independent boat operators struggling to secure a sustainable customer base.
Reacting to the development, the Lagos State Chapter Secretary of Association of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Mr Ayomikun Aworetan noted that the removal of government subsidies two years ago has led to soaring fuel prices and increased fares, making water transport prohibitively expensive for many commuters.
For instance, a journey from Ikorodu to Marina according to Aworetan now cost about N3,000 to and N3,500 amounting to an upward of ₦7,000 for a round trip, a price tag that many average workers simply cannot bear.
Aworetan lamented that boat operators, on the other hand, are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain their businesses. He described how essential engine components, including piston connecting rods and plugs, have seen dramatic price increases with some Tokumbo engines for boats now costing up to ₦6 million. Consequently, he said many boat owners are forced to run their vessels only a couple of times per week, making regular operations economically unfeasible.
The ATBOWATON Scribe added that the repercussions are evident at major Lagos jetties as routes that once ran several boats a day such as the Badagry route from Marina Jetty have nearly disappeared, with some services reduced to a single boat daily, as operators alternate working days just to stay afloat. Additionally, the market for leisure boat rides has virtually evaporated.
“Even for pleasure boats, nobody can afford to go on a boat ride again,” he lamented, noting that weekend excursions now cost between ₦300,000 to ₦400,000 for just a few hours on the water. Only those with deep pockets, such as high-ranking officials or wealthy individuals, seem able to enjoy such luxuries.
Faced with these harsh economic realities, Aworetan noted that some operators have already begun selling-off their boats, signaling a potential long-term decline in Lagos’ water transport business.
Also speaking with Shipping Position Daily last week, the National Secretary of Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), Comrade Lateef Kaffo highlighted the mounting cost of spare parts and maintenance, noting that even minor engine components have seen steep price hikes due to unfavorable exchange rates and global economic pressures.
Kaffo explained that the cost of essential boat accessories and engine components has surged dramatically due to unfavorable exchange rates and the global economic downturn.
However, Kaffo noted that efforts are underway by government agencies, including coordinated initiatives by NIWA and Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) at both federal and state levels, to improve safety and operational standards on the waterways. He stressed that despite these measures, the persistent increase in fuel prices remains a critical issue that continues to undermine the sector’s recovery.
“The money for even basic appliances, and sometimes the engine itself, is getting higher. The exchange rate isn’t coming down, and most parts are taking it,” he said, underscoring the mounting operational expenses that are straining cash flow.
“The rising fuel costs and expensive spare parts mean that if fares are increased, even fewer people opt for boat travel, especially when road transportation is a viable alternative,” Kaffo explained.
On his part, the Liverpool Unit Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Ayeyemi Omosuyi lamented that despite maintaining operations much as before, the soaring cost of fuel has compelled fare increases which, in turn, have driven passengers toward more affordable road transportation.
“Boat engines consume much more fuel than vehicles,” Omosuyi noted, adding that when fares are raised, fewer people opt for water transport. He said this has led to the closure of several key routes that once connected major areas. “Routes such as CMS, Ijegun, Badagry, Ojo, Agbara, and Ikorodu have all closed, because there are simply not enough passengers,” he said.
When contacted, a top official at the Lagos Area Office of NIWA acknowledged that the current economic crisis is impacting multiple sectors, with boat operators among those hit hardest.
The NIWA official commented that even airlines and shipping companies are adjusting fares due to high operational costs, emphasizing that unless collaborative efforts are made among operators and potential government interventions are introduced, the decline in patronage may continue.
