Founder of the Blue Economy Academy, Ubong Essien, has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s relationship with the oceans, stressing that sustainable development of the blue economy depends on greater ocean literacy, environmental stewardship and public awareness.
Essien made the call during the Code Blue Monthly Ocean Intelligence Brief themed “Our Ocean, Our Future: Building a Sustainable, Secure and Prosperous Blue Economy for Nigeria” held to commemorate World Oceans Day 2026.
Speaking on the significance of the oceans, Essien noted that about 70 per cent of the earth’s surface is covered by water, underscoring the critical role oceans play in sustaining life and supporting global economic activities. He lamented what he described as humanity’s largely extractive relationship with the oceans through pollution, marine litter, environmental degradation and unsustainable exploitation of marine resources.
He linked increasing incidents of flooding, coastal erosion and other climate-related challenges to poor environmental practices and the failure to adequately protect marine ecosystems, urging Nigerians to rethink their relationship with the ocean and embrace more sustainable practices.
According to him, one of the major challenges facing the country is widespread “sea blindness” , a limited understanding of Nigeria’s maritime domain and its economic significance. He noted that many Nigerians view the country only from its terrestrial perspective, overlooking the vast opportunities available within its maritime space.
Essien emphasised that Nigeria’s true economic map extends beyond its landmass to include its maritime territory and Exclusive Economic Zone, which he described as a major frontier for national development, employment generation and wealth creation.
As part of efforts to bridge the knowledge gap, Essien announced the launch of “Blue for You,” a new ocean awareness initiative designed to take blue economy education to university campuses across the country. The programme will commence at the University of Lagos, where students will be sensitized to the opportunities and responsibilities associated with Nigeria’s coastal and marine resources.
He explained that the initiative aims to help young people better understand the “blue dimension” of the nation’s economy and encourage greater engagement with ocean sustainability issues.
Highlighting the economic potential of the sector, Essien said the blue economy has the capacity to generate significantly more jobs and economic value than many traditional sectors if properly developed. He urged policymakers, businesses, academia and citizens to embrace the opportunities within the blue economy while ensuring the protection and sustainable management of marine resources for future generations.
He added that the Code Blue platform was created to drive conversations around ocean sustainability, maritime development and blue economy opportunities, while fostering greater public understanding of the ocean’s role in Nigeria’s future prosperity.
Publisher of JournalNG Magazine, Ismail Aniemu, called for urgent government intervention to protect coastal communities threatened by ocean surges and erosion, warning that several fishing settlements in Ondo, Bayelsa and other coastal states face the risk of being displaced.
Aniemu described the ocean as a vast economic resource with immense opportunities in fisheries, tourism, marine science, renewable energy and trade.
He urged governments and stakeholders to adopt a more inclusive approach to blue economy development by addressing the challenges facing coastal communities whose livelihoods and infrastructure are being destroyed by rising tides and coastal erosion.
Aniemu also advocated the creation of a national “blue map” to highlight the wide-ranging impact of the blue economy across Nigeria, including inland states linked through maritime trade and logistics. He stressed the need for greater ocean literacy, environmental sustainability, proper waste management and increased investment in the sector, noting that Nigeria’s maritime resources could significantly boost economic growth, job creation and national development if properly harnessed.
He further commended the efforts of the Blue Economy Academy, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and states such as Lagos and Bayelsa for advancing blue economy awareness and implementation across the country.
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