The Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engr. Sarat Braimah, has urged the Federal Government and private sector stakeholders to scale up investments in Nigeria’s inland waterways as a strategic pathway to unlock the nation’s blue economy and improve livelihoods in coastal communities.
Braimah made the call on Tuesday while speaking at the 3rd Ehingbeti Blue Economy Hub, where she emphasized that the country’s waterways remain central to the economic and social sustainability of riverine and coastal settlements.
According to her, Nigeria continues to lag behind its global peers in fully harnessing the vast potential of its inland water resources for transport, trade, and development.
Highlighting Nigeria’s strategic advantage, Braimah revealed that the country has 28 littoral states linked by navigable waterways, with five West African countries accessible through these routes. She noted that this natural endowment provides a unique opportunity for regional trade and sustainable transportation if supported by robust investment.
Drawing comparisons with global best practices, she pointed to China’s transformation through sustained investment in its inland waterways as an example worth emulating.
“Inland waterways form the majority of what people do directly with communities that are surrounded by water. There are a lot of potentials in inland waterways, and that is why the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made a special ministry known as the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry,” she noted.
“If you go to China today, they started investing in their inland waterways five years ago, and you can see where they are today — it is what is making them popular in the whole world,” she remarked.
While commending the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Braimah stressed that policy creation alone would not drive progress without matching financial commitments.
She called for targeted funding towards critical infrastructure such as river dredging, port development, and navigational aids, describing them as capital-intensive yet essential for driving inclusive growth and long-term economic transformation.
“Our leaders must not only invest in projects that can be seen immediately but also in those that have lasting impact — like river dredging, which will open up communities, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth,” she added.
