Interferry, the global voice of the ferry industry, and the Lagos State Waterways Authority officially inaugurated Africa’s first Ferry Safety Development and Mentoring Program. The 18-month initiative aims to deliver a structured framework to enhance operational safety, technical competence, and regulatory compliance across the state’s growing ferry network.

The program is a primary output of the 2025 Lagos Ferry Safety Conference and operates under the umbrella of FerrySafe, Interferry’s flagship project dedicated to supporting safety improvements in developing nations. By pairing international maritime expertise with local operational realities, the project aims to create a sustainable safety culture that can serve as a blueprint for the state of Lagos and beyond.

The curriculum is designed to combine theoretical foundations with practical exercises, covering essential modules such as ferry design and construction, safety management systems, international maritime regulations, and advanced maintenance strategies. Following a rigorous selection process completed in March, 50 participants, including captains, deckhands, fleet managers, and marine engineers, have been enrolled in the inaugural cohort.

The learning model blends modern digital education with traditional hands-on experience. Each month, participants engage in two weeks of self-paced digital learning, followed by a week of virtual mentoring with Interferry’s global experts. Each module culminates in a fourth week of in-person practical sessions and field trips, ensuring that theoretical knowledge is immediately applied to the local environment.

“This program is a testament to the sustainability of our safety work,” said Mike Corrigan, CEO of Interferry. “Safety is a core pillar of Interferry’s mission. This initiative is being put forward in a truly collaborative spirit. Interferry embraces the opportunity to partner with LASWA in this important pilot initiative, which we intend to roll out in other regions. We are here to listen, share, and support.”

This mentoring approach moves away from one-off training sessions toward a long-term professional partnership. For Lagos State, a region defined by its complex geography and rapid urbanization, the expansion of safe water transport is a critical necessity. The partnership with Interferry allows local operators to tap into a global reservoir of experience to mitigate the risks associated with increased passenger volumes.

Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager of LASWA and Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Blue Economy, emphasized the local importance of the initiative: “Lagos has both a deep-rooted tradition and a modern necessity for ferry travel. As our region grows, the implications for safe transport become increasingly complex. It is highly relevant for us to exchange ideas with experts from the global ferry sector and benefit from their vast experience. This program ensures that as we move more people by water, we do so with the highest possible regard for human life and professional excellence.”

The kick-off event, held today at the LASWA Head Office in Ikoyi, featured a stakeholder engagement session and introduced key Interferry mentors who will guide the participants through the end of 2027.