GRIDLOCK TO GREENWAYS: NAVIGATING NIGERIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURE WITH LESSONS FROM BELGIUM’S WATERWAY TRANSPORTATION

Abstract

The advent of the motorized age has brought about competition between road, rail, and air transportation, which developing countries like Nigeria seem to have fully embraced, neglecting the vast potentials which lie in the improvement of water transportation. The maritime sector is critical to the social, environmental, and economic development of Nigeria. About 90% of the world’s trade still moves through water and that proportion is higher in developing countries. Approximately 92% of Nigeria’s imports and exports pass through Nigerian Ports. The Country boasts of over 853km of Atlantic Ocean Coastline and a vast network of navigable inland waterways from the North down to the South. Despite these advantages, the maritime sector faces numerous challenges, stemming from ineffective management, regulatory deficiencies, and outdated infrastructure. This article argues that revitalising Nigeria’s transportation sector hinges on harnessing the latent potential of its waterways. Drawing insights from the successes in Belgium’s waterway transportation system, we propose a multidimensional research approach to analyse the institutional framework governing waterways transportation in Nigeria. By examining Belgium's transition from gridlocks to greenways, we aim to glean valuable lessons applicable to Nigeria's context. Through systematic analysis and comparison with Belgium’s experiences, we seek to identify actionable strategies for enhancing regulatory efficiency, promoting sustainable infrastructure development, and unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s water transportation sector. This paper serves as a call to action for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers to prioritize the revitalisation of water transportation in Nigeria for sustainable development and transitioning from gridlocks to greenways.