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

Abstract

The advent of the motorized age has brought aboutcompetition between road, rail, and air transportation,which developing countries like Nigeria seem to have fullyembraced, neglecting the vast potentials which lie in theimprovement of water transportation. The maritime sectoris critical to the social, environmental, and economicdevelopment of Nigeria. About 90% of the world’s tradestill moves through water and that proportion is higher indeveloping countries. Approximately 92% of Nigeria’simports and exports pass through Nigerian Ports. TheCountry boasts of over 853km of Atlantic Ocean Coastlineand a vast network of navigable inland waterways from theNorth down to the South. Despite these advantages, themaritime sector faces numerous challenges, stemming fromineffective management, regulatory deficiencies, andoutdated infrastructure. This article argues that revitalisingNigeria’s transportation sector hinges on harnessing thelatent potential of its waterways. Drawing insights from thesuccesses in Belgium’s waterway transportation system, wepropose a multidimensional research approach to analysethe institutional framework governing waterwaystransportation in Nigeria. By examining Belgium's transitionfrom gridlocks to greenways, we aim to glean valuablelessons applicable to Nigeria's context. Through systematicanalysis and comparison with Belgium’s experiences, weseek 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.