Lagos govt plans to launch electric boats for affordable Water transport

The Lagos State Government (LASG) is set to add electric-powered boats to the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) fleet this year, affirming its commitment to offer affordable, eco-friendly public transportation.

This announcement was made by Hon. Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun, Managing Director of Lagos Ferry Services, during the agency’s third annual Ignite Lagos event themed “Light the Waterways,” which took place on Saturday at the Five Cowries Terminal in Ikoyi.

Balogun highlighted that the reduced operational and maintenance costs of electric boats would allow LAGFERRY to lower fares for daily passengers. He emphasized that this initiative is not only about environmental responsibility but also an economic imperative for a megacity facing traffic congestion and escalating transportation expenses.

He noted that since it began operations on February 4, 2020, LAGFERRY has successfully transported 4.4 million passengers, demonstrating the increasing popularity of water transportation among Lagos residents.

“An increasing number of Lagosians are adopting water transport—a trend I refer to as the ‘Watermania Lifestyle’—choosing to park their cars at jetties and terminals to travel by boat around the city. We are seeing a significant rise in daily passenger traffic on the waterways,” Balogun remarked.

He mentioned that the growth in water transportation reflects the public’s increasing confidence in ferry services as a dependable alternative to road travel.

“It’s important to highlight that we experienced our busiest festive season during the 2025 Detty December period, with a tenfold increase in trips from previous years. More residents utilized the waterways to reach beach houses and coastal resorts, and our strict safety and security measures helped maintain public confidence,” he said.

The LAGFERRY Ignite Lagos event is a significant initiative aimed at celebrating, promoting, and reimagining Lagos waterways as a vibrant center for transportation, tourism, culture, and entertainment.