Alliance Moves To Unlock Nigeria’s Marine Tourism Potential With NIWA Partnership
Coalition Targets Marine Tourism Growth
THE Allied Concessionaries and Blue Economy Alliance has pledged to partner with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to develop Nigeria’s vast but largely underutilised marine tourism sector.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the alliance’s leadership to the Lagos Area Office of NIWA, where they met with the Lagos Area Manager, Sarat Braimah.
Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the coalition, Bolaji Olasade, described the group as a consortium of reputable maritime tourism and transportation operators ready to collaborate with NIWA to expand inland waterways infrastructure and reposition Nigeria’s waterfront economy.
Integrating Transport and Hospitality
Olasade explained that the alliance is not a conventional association but a partnership of experienced concessionaires and operators committed to redefining waterfront recreation and hospitality.
According to him, the proposed collaboration aims to integrate safe and efficient water transportation systems with modern recreational and hospitality services, particularly in Lagos where waterfront assets remain largely untapped.
“We are willing and ready to work with NIWA to grow inland waterways tourism infrastructure and open up littoral communities through destination marketing and resort development,” he said.
The coalition’s broader objective, he noted, is to transform Nigeria’s brown water and blue economy sectors into globally competitive industries by leveraging private sector expertise and investment.
Call for Structured Public-Private Partnerships
The Secretary of the alliance, Mrs. Dorcas Aderemi, stressed that sustainable growth in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy sectors requires deliberate alignment between government regulators and private investors.
She advocated for a structured public-private partnership (PPP) framework that would accelerate infrastructure development, enhance inland waterways utilisation, and unlock funding opportunities.
Such collaboration, she argued, would generate employment, stimulate economic growth, and boost government revenue while empowering communities located along waterways.
NIWA’s Response and Reform Agenda
Responding, Braimah welcomed the coalition’s interest, acknowledging that NIWA cannot fully achieve its mandate without credible private sector participation.
“We recognise that serious investors with genuine financial commitments are essential to unlocking the opportunities within the inland waterways corridor,” she said, adding that the proposals would be forwarded to NIWA headquarters in Abuja for further consideration.
Braimah also highlighted the importance of modernising inland water transportation through the introduction of new boats and ferries to gradually phase out outdated watercraft. Such reforms, she noted, are critical to enhancing safety, operational efficiency, and public confidence in water transport.
The alliance commended Braimah’s leadership, particularly her firm stance on safety and security within Lagos waterways, and congratulated her on her recent Nelson Mandela Pan-African Leadership Award.
Empowering Littoral Communities
Beyond infrastructure and investment, Braimah emphasised the need for unity among coalition members and urged them to avoid internal conflicts that could derail progress.
She stressed that littoral communities must be actively engaged and empowered to benefit from maritime tourism and transportation opportunities within their environment.
The proposed partnership signals growing momentum toward harnessing Nigeria’s inland waterways as a strategic economic asset, positioning marine tourism as a key pillar in the country’s expanding blue economy.
