World Oceans Day: Ubong Essien Calls for Nigeria to ‘Prosper by Water’

Blue Economy advocate urges nation to unlock ocean wealth through innovation, education, and inclusion

As nations around the world marked World Oceans Day, Nigeria’s prominent blue economy advocate, Ubong Essien, issued a compelling call for the country to recognize and harness the vast economic potential of its marine resources.

In a message titled “Prosper by Water,” Essien,  founder of the Blue Economy Academy and popularly known as Mister Motivator, described the oceans as the “greatest untapped wealth on Earth,” emphasizing their critical role in driving sustainable development, job creation, and economic resilience.

“From food to fuel, ports to prosperity, biodiversity to blue jobs,  the ocean is not just a body of water. It’s a body of wealth,” Essien stated.

Highlighting the Academy’s mission, Essien noted that through education, innovation, and inclusion, Nigeria can position itself as a regional leader in ocean-based economic activity. He urged stakeholders to view the blue economy as a strategic frontier for national growth, especially as the country works toward economic diversification.

“Let this day be a reminder: our future is blue, our mission is clear — we must prosper by water,” he said.

Essien also referenced Nigeria’s extensive coastline, stretching “from Badagry to Bakassi,” as a corridor of opportunity waiting to be transformed into a hub for blue economic activities such as sustainable fisheries, maritime transport, marine tourism, and ocean-based renewable energy.

The World Oceans Day message was amplified with a series of hashtags including #ProsperByWater, #WorldOceansDay, #BlueEconomy, #OceanWealth, and #FromBadagryToBakassi, underscoring the campaign’s goal of raising awareness about ocean sustainability and economic potential.

As conversations around climate action, food security, and clean energy intensify globally, Essien’s remarks serve as a timely reminder of the ocean’s critical role in Nigeria’s future.

“Here’s to the world’s oceans — our past, our present, and our prosperous future,” he concluded.

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