Lagos tourism gets a boost as LAGFERRY logs 31,000 hours of operations, with plans to make Lagos an all-year tourist destination
Lagos State is poised to become a premier all-year tourist destination, with the government intensifying efforts to enhance the city’s attractiveness and accessibility, particularly through its waterways.
Hon Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment during the Tourism, Hospitality, and Creative Stakeholders’ Engagement Summit in Victoria Island.
“December is just a season. Lagos has the potential to be a year-round tourist destination. We want the Lagos experience to stand out and be competitive internationally,” he said.
Bush-Alebiosu highlighted the need for strategic planning across the city’s islands, describing initiatives to market Lagos as “the 10 islands of Lagos,” each with a unique tourist appeal.
He stressed that collaboration with the federal Ministry of Tourism would be critical to achieving these goals.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Mr Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, reported that the agency had successfully operated for over 31,000 hours this year, serving passengers on both scheduled and charter services.
He emphasized the integral role of waterways, noting that one-third of Lagos State’s landmass is water and 15 of its 20 local government areas are accessible via waterways.
“We are preparing to launch a Water Taxi Initiative in the coming weeks, providing credible, safe, and convenient alternatives for commuters,” Balogun said, adding that Lagos ferries range in capacity from 20 to 60 passengers.
The summit, themed “Unlocking the Potentials and Opportunities of Lagos Tourism: Collaboration and Partnership for a Greater Lagos,” brought together tourism experts, investors, policymakers, and creative practitioners.
Both speakers highlighted the synergy between tourism and transportation in promoting the state’s hospitality sector, especially during high-traffic periods like the Detty December festival.
On safety and investor confidence, Balogun assured that LAGFERRY maintains a secure waterway system, which has attracted private sector and international investments. “Safety is paramount; without it, tourism and commerce cannot thrive,” he said.
The summit underscored Lagos State’s strategic focus on using its natural and infrastructural assets to strengthen tourism, boost economic growth, and enhance the visitor experience throughout the year.
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