By Abbas Nazil
The Blue Economy Academy (BEA) has taken a step towards transforming Nigeria’s maritime sector to unlock its vast economic potential.
This was revealed by the Academy’s Founder, Ubong Essien, during a high-profile media luncheon in Lagos, where industry professionals, media representatives, and key stakeholders gathered to discuss the future of Nigeria’s blue economy.
At the event, Essien presented the Academy’s guiding vision, “Prosper by Water,” which seeks to address Nigeria’s longstanding neglect of its maritime opportunities, a challenge he termed “sea blindness.”
Through a combination of education, policy advocacy, and strategic collaboration, the Academy aims to maximize the sector’s contributions to the country’s economy.
Essien outlined four key pillars that will drive the Academy’s mission: Education, which involves specialized training, masterclasses, and capacity-building programs led by industry experts; Awareness, which seeks to foster national dialogue and engagement on maritime opportunities; Advocacy, which focuses on influencing policies to promote sustainable maritime development; and Engagement, which ensures long-term stakeholder commitment to implementing key initiatives and policies.
He said the Academy’s structure revolves around ten core areas of the blue economy, referred to as the “Ten Blue Economy Buckets.”
These include Blue Commerce, which enhances maritime trade and logistics; Blue Bounty, which focuses on fisheries and aquaculture; Blue Power, which explores renewable ocean energy solutions; Blue Cities, which emphasizes sustainable coastal and waterfront development; and Blue Governance, which seeks to strengthen policies and regulatory frameworks.
Other key areas, Essien said, include Blue Nexus, integrating ocean-related industries for sustainable growth; Blue Climate, addressing climate change impacts on marine ecosystems; Blue Talent, which aims to develop human capital for the maritime sector; and Blue Venture, which promotes maritime entrepreneurship and investment.
The initiative was met with enthusiasm by media professionals and industry experts.
Paull Ogbuokiri, a journalist at New Telegraph, noted that BEA is emerging at a crucial time when Nigeria is actively exploring its maritime potential and provides clear strategies on how to harness these resources.
Coco McCrispy, CEO of Coco African TV, emphasized that the blue economy offers an opportunity for Nigeria to shift focus from oil to maritime resources, while government involvement will be essential for realizing its full potential.
Ezinne Azuma, a respected maritime industry figure, highlighted that BEA’s work in demystifying maritime education and closing knowledge gaps is a game-changer for the sector.
The luncheon attendees agreed that the Blue Economy Academy is positioned to drive sustainable maritime development, influence policy decisions, and attract investment.
