By Abbas Nazil
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State will officially launch the maiden edition of CODE BLUE, Nigeria’s Monthly Ocean Intelligence Brief, in a virtual ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
The event is being organized by the Blue Economy Academy (BEA), Nigeria’s first independent, industry-focused platform dedicated to ocean-driven development.
The inaugural session of CODE BLUE is aimed at sparking regular national dialogue and fostering informed insights on Nigeria’s marine and blue economy landscape.
With Governor Aiyedatiwa serving as the special guest of honour, his involvement highlights the strategic role of state-level leadership in driving sustainable development along Nigeria’s coastline and maritime corridors.
The Blue Economy Academy, through this new initiative, intends to create a consistent and practical knowledge-sharing platform that addresses key issues in the maritime sector while encouraging broad stakeholder engagement.
Ubong Essien, founder of the BEA and former special adviser on strategic communications to the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), described CODE BLUE as more than a webinar.
He said it is a monthly strategic intelligence compass aimed at demystifying the blue economy, combating sea blindness, and stimulating actionable responses from both the public and private sectors.
Themed “Blueprint to Reality – Mainstreaming Nigeria’s 10-Year Marine & Blue Economy Policy,” the event will feature a lead presentation by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
This will be followed by a reflection panel and a moderated discussion involving key industry stakeholders and maritime professionals.
Attendance is free, but registration is required via the official Zoom link provided by the organizers.
BEA describes *CODE BLUE* as a recurring knowledge brief designed to activate national capacity around ocean policy, maritime updates, and blue economy innovation.
The Blue Economy Academy is positioning itself as the “Blue LBS” — a reference to Lagos Business School — but with a clear focus on practical solutions for Nigeria’s marine sector.
BEA does not operate as a conventional academic institution but functions as a strategic empowerment platform that offers executive education, policy engagement sessions, and maritime thought leadership programs.
Its core mission: “Prosper by Water,” is pursued through 10 Key Inclusion Buckets, which serve as a unique framework to make the blue economy accessible, actionable, and inclusive.
Through its programs, BEA aims to equip policymakers, industry professionals, and community leaders with the tools, insights, and skills needed to tap into Nigeria’s vast maritime resources.
Essien emphasized that eliminating sea blindness — the lack of awareness and understanding of ocean-based opportunities — remains a top priority for the academy.
By offering recurring, digestible, and actionable intelligence, CODE BLUE is expected to become a go-to resource for understanding developments in Nigeria’s blue economy sector.
The virtual nature of the launch also makes it accessible to a wide range of participants across Nigeria and the international maritime community.
