“Blue Economy Academy to Unlock Untapped Wealth of Nigerian Waters, Says Ubong Essien”

In a groundbreaking revelation, Mr. Ubong Essien, founder of the newly launched Blue Economy Academy, expressed his commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s untapped maritime wealth. During a media partnership launch on February 15, 2025, in Lagos, Essien emphasized that the Academy’s primary goal is to combat the widespread lack of awareness, or “sea blindness,” regarding the economic value of the nation’s waters.

Essien, who has an extensive background in maritime strategy as the former Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications to the Director-General of NIMASA, noted that the Academy is designed to educate citizens and policymakers about the immense potential of the country’s oceans. He described this initiative as an effort to bridge the knowledge gap and create a ripple effect of awareness and engagement with ocean-based opportunities.

“We envision a Nigeria that thrives through its waters,” said Essien. “Most Nigerians don’t grasp the full extent of our maritime resources. Through the Academy, we will eliminate sea blindness and expose the economic value embedded in our oceans, empowering communities and driving national prosperity.”

The Academy will operate through ten critical focus areas, which Essien described as “buckets of prosperity.” These areas include Blue Commerce, Bounty, Cities, Capital, Governance, Justice, Nexus, Climate, Talent, Ventures, and Power. By focusing on these sectors, the Academy aims to provide a holistic approach to sustainable maritime development while fostering innovative policy-making and industry-driven knowledge exchange.

Essien outlined that the Academy’s programs will feature field tours to various states, with some programs lasting up to one month, culminating in capstone projects. These immersive learning experiences aim to develop practical skills and real-world solutions for the country’s maritime challenges.

With the establishment of the Blue Economy Academy, Essien intends to create a platform for cross-industry collaboration, where experts can share insights and contribute to policy development. This initiative also aims to build a faculty composed of seasoned professionals—referred to as “industry fellows”—who will lead the Academy’s diverse programs.

“In Nigeria, we are largely unaware of the significance of our coastal resources,” Essien reflected. “The Blue Economy Academy is a pivotal step in changing that narrative, unlocking the vast economic opportunities that lie beneath our waters for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

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