The ambitious Omi Eko Project, aimed at revolutionising Lagos’s inland water transportation, is setting a new standard for urban mobility by explicitly integrating safety and comfort features for vulnerable groups, particularly women.
Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, stated this on Friday, in an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief.
He said the project can transform water transportation in Lagos.
Mignot, who also heads the EU delegation to the Economic Community of West African States, commended the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his team for their efforts in revolutionising water transportation.
Omi Eko Project is a major initiative by the Lagos State Government to improve water transportation in Lagos State.
The project, which involves a €410 million investment from the European Union, the French Development Agency, and the European Investment Bank, will introduce electric ferries, new terminals, and improved safety measures to create a modern, sustainable, and efficient water transport system.
“It looks like a future where this waterways transport network will meet all the needs of Lagosians of all categories. It will be much faster, much more comfortable… And there will be specific features, for instance, for women, to avoid sexual harassment with the lighting of the terminals or special seats for pregnant women, for instance.
“The Omi Eko project, which runs from 2024 to 2030, is expected to deploy over 78 high-capacity electric ferries and establish 25 upgraded ferry terminals and jetties.
“The commitment to safety extends beyond basic operational requirements; the project documentation confirms that outdoor ferry terminals and jetties will be designed with enhanced public lighting specifically to mitigate the risk of gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual harassment,” Mignot said.
Furthermore, dedicated seating will be provisioned not just at the terminals but also within the new, larger vessels to ensure pregnant women and mothers have easily accessible and comfortable options.
“The initiative also aims to encourage women’s employment during both the construction and operation phases of the new ferry system”, Mignot added.
Experts note that the modernisation drive is a vital part of the Lagos State Development Plan (2022-2052), which seeks to increase the inland waterways’ share of public transport from its current minimal usage.
The focus on sustainability—including the transition to electric ferries and social inclusion positions Lagos as a potential international benchmark for integrated, climate-smart urban transport systems.
The financial breakdown, confirmed by Mignot, shows that the international partnership, referred to as “Team Europe,” is providing the bulk of the funding, underscoring a commitment to sustainable infrastructure development in Nigeria’s commercial hub.
“The total cost of the project is estimated at ₦750 billion. “Team Europe” is contributing ₦540 billion in subsidised loans from institutions including the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Crucially, the deal is sweetened by ₦110 billion in direct grants from the European Union.
“Blending loans and grants is making this a very good offer and very good support for the Lagos State Government,” Mignot stated, noting that this structure aims to minimise the debt burden on the state, a core principle of the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy.
The multi-billion-naira initiative is designed to revolutionise how Lagosians commute, shifting millions away from congested roads and onto the state’s vast network of inland waterways.
Mignot stressed that the new system will be tailored to benefit all demographics, incorporating significant social infrastructure features.
