The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has announced the appointment of Dr. Segun Alabi as the new Head of Communications and Media for the Omi Eko Project, a €410 million initiative aimed at transforming water transportation across the Lagos metropolis.
The appointment was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Public Affairs Unit of LASWA. The Omi Eko Project is a major sustainable transport programme designed to reduce traffic congestion on Lagos roads by expanding and optimising the state’s largely underutilised inland waterways.
Confirming the development, the Special Adviser on Blue Economy to the Governor of Lagos State and Project Coordinator of the Omi Eko Project, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said Dr. Alabi was appointed based on his extensive experience in communications, media relations, and public affairs across multiple sectors.
According to Emmanuel, Dr. Alabi will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive communication strategies for the project, coordinating media engagement, and driving public awareness of the project’s objectives, milestones, and sustainability goals.
He described the new appointee as a seasoned corporate communications professional with a broad background spanning pay television, financial services, real estate, manufacturing, and business membership organisations.
“Dr. Alabi is a highly accomplished Corporate Affairs professional with diverse experience spanning Pay TV, financial services, real estate, business membership organisations, and the manufacturing sector,” Emmanuel stated.
Before his appointment, Dr. Alabi served as Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs and Communications at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), where he led corporate communications, public affairs, and event management functions for the association. His areas of expertise include reputation management, government and stakeholder relations, corporate social responsibility, public policy advocacy, media strategy, and digital communications.
LASWA noted that his professional background positions him to effectively manage information flow and stakeholder engagement for a project of the scale and complexity of Omi Eko, which involves multiple public and private sector partners, as well as international development institutions.
Reacting to his appointment, Dr. Alabi expressed enthusiasm about joining the project, describing the role as both challenging and fulfilling.
“I am excited to join the Omi Eko Project team. This opportunity is truly a dream come true. While the task ahead is enormous, it is certainly achievable,” he said.
Dr. Alabi holds a Doctorate degree in English from the University of Lagos, with specialisation in Language Use and Communication. He is expected to play a key role in shaping public perception of the project, strengthening stakeholder confidence, and supporting the overall implementation of Lagos State’s blue economy agenda.
The Omi Eko Project is a €410 million sustainable water transport initiative supported by the European Union and private sector partners. The project seeks to decongest Lagos roads, improve urban mobility, and promote environmentally responsible transportation by expanding ferry routes, modernising infrastructure, and enhancing safety and operational efficiency on the state’s waterways.
The project is regarded as a central component of Lagos State’s long-term strategy to integrate water transport into its urban mobility framework and reduce the pressure on road infrastructure in Africa’s most populous city.
