The Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) has transported more than 3 million passengers in the last five years, a significant milestone announced by the company’s managing director, Abdoulbaq Balogun, at its 2025 Strategic Management Retreat.
The event, themed ‘Advancing Water Transportation for a Sustainable Lagos’, focused on expanding water transportation as a key part of the state’s multimodal transit system.
Balogun noted that since its relaunch in February 2020, LAGFERRY has been a major player in easing Lagos’s notorious road congestion.
He credited Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s support for the company’s success, highlighting the addition of 14 new boats to the fleet since 2020. This expansion brought the total number of boats to 19, allowing the agency to scale its operations dramatically.
“From February 2020 to June 2025, LAGFERRY’s achievements include, Completing 27,337 trips, covering over 745,851 kilometers on the waterways, operating for 31,272 hours, equivalent to over 1,303 days, creating 300 jobs and moving 923,120 trucks via multi-purpose barges.
“We have demonstrated the potential and capacity of water transportation,” Balogun said, noting that LAGFERRY has become a model for other providers and has drawn significant private sector investment.
Balogun emphasised the goal of creating a seamless multimodal transportation system, connecting water, rail and road to provide residents with efficient alternatives. “The ongoing construction of major interchanges at Mile 2 and CMS Marina will link all three transport modes.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Office, Sunkanmi Oyegbola, echoed this vision, stressing that reducing road traffic saves man-hours and improves the quality of life for Lagos residents.
She called on LAGFERRY to continue collaborating with other government agencies, such as the Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Works, to ensure a holistic delivery of efficient services.
Local government leaders were also in attendance, praising LAGFERRY’s performance and pledging support. Prince Olawale Sanusi, Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, praised the agency for providing a viable alternative transportation route and committed to partnering with LAGFERRY to “sustain and also build on the development.”
Similarly, Chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area, Abdulazak Oladele stated the importance of jetties and terminals in his riverine area and promised to work closely with LAGFERRY to improve safety awareness, especially regarding the use of life jackets.
Looking ahead, Balogun revealed that the company plans to, expand to more routes across the state, digitalize its operations for improved efficiency, establish a dedicated maintenance workshop and Convert its petrol-powered boats to more environmentally friendly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or electric-powered vessels, aligning with global sustainability goals.
The Special Advisor to the Governor on the Parastatal Monitoring Office, Ibrahim Obanikoro, commended LAGFERRY for its dedication and innovation, stating that the agency’s progress is what the government always ask of any agency.”While acknowledging that challenges exist, he expressed confidence that the agency will continue to overcome them and make further progress in the coming year.
