By Sylvanus OBASI
Former Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communications to Dr Bashir Jamoh, the immediate past Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Ubong Essien has taken a bold step toward transforming Nigeria’s maritime sector by birthing Nigeria’s first Blue Economy Academy (BEA) in Lagos, South West, Nigeria.
At a high-profile media luncheon held on Saturday in Ikoyi-Lagos to mark the official unveiling of the Academy, industry professionals, media personnel, and key stakeholders gathered to explore the Academy’s mission towards unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
A key moment of the event was the address by the Academy’s Founder, Mr. Ubong Essien, who presented the organization’s core vision, tagged, “Prosper by Water.”
According to Ubong, “This vision focuses on combating sea blindness—the nation’s historical neglect of its maritime opportunities—by leveraging education, policy advocacy, and strategic collaboration to unlock the sector’s true potential”.
He also revealed that the Academy aims to address critical challenges in the maritime space through four strategic pillars:
1. Education – Offering specialized training, masterclasses, and capacity-building programs led by industry experts.
2. Awareness – Promoting national dialogue on maritime opportunities and fostering engagement.
3. Advocacy – Influencing policy decisions to support sustainable maritime development.
4. Engagement – Ensuring long-term stakeholder commitment to implementing policies and initiatives.
Group picture of media practitioners present at the BEA Media Luncheon held last Saturday in Lagos
Speaking further, he noted that the Academy is structured around ten key Blue Economy pillars, referred to as the “Ten Blue Economy Buckets”:
Blue Commerce – Enhancing maritime trade and logistics.
Blue Bounty – Maximizing fisheries and aquaculture potential.
Blue Power – Exploring renewable ocean energy solutions.
Blue Cities – Developing sustainable coastal and waterfront cities.
Blue Governance – Strengthening policies and regulatory frameworks.
Blue Nexus – Integrating ocean-related industries for sustainable growth.
Blue Climate – Addressing climate change impacts on marine ecosystems.
Blue Talent – Developing human capital for the maritime sector.
Blue Venture – Promoting maritime entrepreneurship and investment.
During the event, some media representatives shared their perspectives on the newly established BEA.
Paul Ogbuokiri, a journalist at New Telegraph, noted, “The Blue Economy Academy is emerging at a time when Nigeria is exploring its maritime potential. It provides answers to the critical question of ‘how’ we can harness this vast resource.”
Coco McCrispy, CEO of Coco African TV, remarked, “The Blue Economy presents opportunities for Nigerians to shift focus from oil to maritime resources. The government’s involvement will be crucial in unlocking this potential.”
Mr Ubong Essien, Founder of Blue Economy Academy
Ezinne Udemadu, a maritime journalist also commented, “This initiative has the potential to transform the sector. It is demystifying maritime education and closing gaps, which is crucial for industry growth.”
The gathering concluded on a hopeful note, with attendees agreeing that the Blue Economy Academy is well-positioned to drive sustainable maritime development, shape policy, and attract investment, while equipping professionals with the skills needed to lead Nigeria’s blue economy into the future.
