LASWA’s Captain Afotan retires after 28 years
BY TEMITOPE ADEBAYO
A veteran boat captain with the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Captain Claudius Adeleke Afotan, has officially retired after an illustrious 28-year career marked by an unblemished safety record.
Widely respected for his exceptional discipline and professionalism, Captain Afotan, fondly known as Baba Ilaje, sailed various government patrol boats for a total of 500 hours across the Lagos waterways without a single recorded mishap or boat damage throughout his service.
LASWA General Manager, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, commended Captain Afotan for his outstanding dedication to duty and described him as a model of excellence in maritime safety.
Captain Afotan’s legacy is one of commitment, caution, and care. For 28 years, he has safely escorted high-ranking Government officials, Federal Ministers, State Commissioners, Celebrities including Burna Boy and Wizkid, LASWA staff, and Marine Guards during events, enforcement, and monitoring across our waters. He is the kind of hero our waterways need and will remember.
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Captain Afotan was celebrated today 14th of July 2025, in a brief ceremony at the LASWA office, where colleagues praised his calm demeanour, deep knowledge of the waterways, and unwavering commitment to safety.
His retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy sets a benchmark for the next generation of boat captains navigating Lagos’ expanding water transport system.
