A coalition of indigenous maritime tourism and transportation investors is seeking the support of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to unlock strategic investment opportunities aimed at developing the country’s vast but largely untapped maritime tourism economy.

The group, Allied Concessionaires and Blue Economy Alliance, disclosed the plan during a courtesy visit to the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Sarat Braimah.

Chairman of the coalition, Bolaji Olasade, explained that the operators were committed to redefining waterfront recreation and hospitality by integrating safe and efficient water tourism and transportation systems.

He said the initiative was designed to create jobs, boost coastal tourism and expand economic opportunities within Lagos and beyond.

He added that the group would reposition Nigeria’s brown water and blue economy sectors by transforming the country’s waterfront hospitality and tourism landscape into a globally competitive industry.

“The coalition is not a conventional association but a consortium of visible and tested operators, mostly concessionaires, who are willing and ready to collaborate with NIWA to grow and develop inland waterways tourism infrastructure. We are also focused on opening up littoral communities through destination marketing and the promotion of resorts,” Olasade stated.

The Secretary of the coalition, Dorcas Aderemi, emphasised that the Nigerian marine and blue economy sector can only thrive when the inland waterways ecosystem is strategically aligned for sustainable investment and funding.

She called for a structured public-private partnership model between the private sector and NIWA to fast-track development and enhance inland waterways utilisation.

According to her, such collaboration would not only stimulate economic growth and job creation but also significantly boost government revenue and national development.

The group commended the NIWA’s boss for her leadership and commitment to industry growth, particularly her zero-tolerance stance on boat transportation accidents and security infractions on inland waterways in Lagos.

Responding, NIWA’s Area Manager expressed appreciation for the coalition’s interest in partnering with the authority, assuring them of the willingness to collaborate in unlocking opportunities within the inland waterways corridor in Lagos and across Nigeria.

Braimah said NIWA cannot achieve its mandate alone without the private sector, especially serious investors with genuine financial commitments to the industry.

The Area Manager further highlighted the need to modernise inland water transportation by introducing new boats and ferries to gradually phase out outdated watercraft, thereby enhancing safety, efficiency and value across the waterways transportation and hospitality sectors.