LASWA GM Appointed Director to Global Ferry Industry Body

The global ferry industry association Interferry has appointed Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), to its Board of Directors, marking the first time an African has held the position. 

The appointment was ratified during Interferry’s Annual General Meeting held in Sorrento, Italy, where six new board members were inducted for four-year terms.

Mr Emmanuel’s selection underscores his leadership in advancing water-transport safety, infrastructure development and the blue economy agenda in Nigeria. His role at LASWA has seen partnerships with organisations like the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and Interferry itself to boost inland-waterways safety standards.

In accepting the post, Emmanuel noted the significance of Africa’s voice on the global ferry stage and pledged to leverage the appointment to position the continent’s waterways transport sector for growth, innovation and alignment with international best practices.

Industry observers say the appointment signals Nigeria’s rising influence in the global maritime and blue economy space, and may open new pathways for regional cooperation, capacity building and investment in ferry systems across Africa.

Oshuniran Sheriff Ola