The Allied Concessionaries and Blue Economy Alliance has pledged to collaborate with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to develop Nigeria’s largely untapped marine tourism economy.
Chairman of the alliance, Mr Bolaji Olasade, made the commitment during a courtesy visit to the NIWA Lagos Area Manager, Mrs Sarat Braimah, at the authority’s Lagos Area Office.
Olasade said the proposed collaboration aims to unlock the economic potential of waterfronts, particularly in Lagos, by integrating safe and efficient water transportation with enhanced recreational and hospitality services.
He explained that the alliance comprises reputable maritime tourism and transportation operators, many of whom are concessionaires, committed to redefining waterfront recreation and hospitality through structured partnerships.
“We came to formally introduce our coalition, which is not a conventional association but a consortium of visible and tested operators willing and ready to collaborate with NIWA to grow and develop inland waterways tourism infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the group intends to promote destination marketing, open up littoral communities, and reposition Nigeria’s brown water and blue economy sectors into a globally competitive waterfront hospitality and tourism industry.
In her remarks, the coalition’s Secretary, Mrs Dorcas Aderemi, stressed the need for a structured public-private partnership model between the private sector and NIWA to accelerate sustainable investment and funding within the inland waterways ecosystem.
According to her, such collaboration would stimulate economic growth, create jobs, increase government revenue and support national development.
The group also commended Braimah’s leadership, particularly her zero-tolerance approach to boat accidents and security breaches on Lagos inland waterways. They congratulated her on receiving the Nelson Mandela Pan-African Leadership Award, describing it as recognition of her dedication to public service.
Responding, Braimah welcomed the delegation and expressed NIWA’s readiness to work with credible private investors to unlock opportunities along inland waterways corridors in Lagos and across Nigeria.
“We recognise that NIWA cannot achieve its mandate alone without the private sector, especially serious investors with genuine financial commitments to the industry,” she said.
She noted that the authority would forward the coalition’s proposals to its headquarters in Abuja for further consideration.
Braimah also underscored the need to modernise inland water transportation by introducing newer boats and ferries to replace outdated watercraft, thereby improving safety, efficiency and value across the transportation and hospitality sectors.
She urged the coalition to remain united and prioritise meaningful impact, particularly for littoral communities, ensuring they are actively engaged and benefit from maritime tourism and water transport opportunities.