The Lagos State Government says residents and visitors will enjoy a richer waterfront experience this Detty December as part of ongoing efforts to boost the state’s tourism appeal.
The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Alebiosu, said this in a statement on Sunday after the state’s tourism and hospitality stakeholders’ summit.
The meeting, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, had the theme Unlocking the Potentials and Opportunities of Lagos Tourism: Collaboration and Partnership for a Greater Lagos.
Detty December is a popular slang for the lively festive season in Nigeria, usually running from mid-December into the New Year.
Alebiosu said the government is set to deliver a modern and competitive tourism atmosphere, noting that Lagos’ waterways remain one of its strongest assets.
He said the state must present waterfronts that match the quality found in places such as Scandinavia and the Palm Jumeirah, describing tourism as an experience that attracts global visitors in December.
The commissioner noted that some waterfront developments were poorly designed, with buildings facing the road instead of the water. He said a city driven by tourism must embrace its coastline, not block it.
Alebiosu explained that Lagos had strengthened its reclamation standards to ensure waterfront projects align with global benchmarks. He said the state had started upgrading jetties and installing concrete pontoons, calling the work a major shift from old practices.
He added that Lagos is awaiting final approval for the long-anticipated boardwalk project at the Wole Olateju waterfront, which he described as underused for years.
The commissioner also confirmed that the Bariga jetty would be redesigned into a modern fish market to promote greater use of waterways for transport, trade, and recreation.
He said the government is working with LAGFERRY and the Ministry of Transportation to review the placement of jetties in unsuitable locations.
Alebiosu assured that residents and visitors would soon feel the impact of the reforms as the festive season approaches.
He said the aim is to position Lagos as Africa’s most vibrant festive destination, adding that the improvements along the waterfront will become clear this December.
