Blue Economy offers unique pathways for Nigeria’s economic diversification 

Nigeria

Former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Ade Dosunmu, has emphasized the critical role the Blue Economy can play in Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification. 

Speaking yesterday at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos, Dr. Dosunmu called for urgent action to harness the vast opportunities within the Blue Economy sector as a viable solution to reduce the nation’s dependence on hydrocarbon revenues.

Dr. Dosunmu delivered a lecture titled “Blue Economy and Economic Diversification: Opportunities and Challenges” to the participants of the Senior Executive Course 47, 2025 at NIPSS. 

In his presentation, he elaborated on the concept of the Blue Economy, which encompasses the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.

Highlighting the sector’s immense potential, Dr. Dosunmu noted that the Blue Economy could serve as a strong pillar for Nigeria’s economic growth by tapping into untapped marine resources and related industries. He underscored the necessity for strategic reforms, robust policy frameworks, and enhanced collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders to fully unlock these opportunities.

“The Blue Economy offers a unique and timely solution to Nigeria’s perennial dependence on hydrocarbon resources,” Dr. Dosunmu asserted. He warned that without addressing regulatory gaps, environmental threats, and capacity constraints, Nigeria risks missing out on the sustainable growth prospects the Blue Economy promises.

The lecture was part of a broader engagement at NIPSS, featuring insightful papers on related themes such as Foreign Direct Investment and the Blue Economy, Sustainable Coastal Tourism and Recreation, and Fisheries and Aquaculture in Nigeria’s Blue Economy. These discussions reflect the multidimensional approach necessary to harness the sector’s full potential.

NIPSS remains a leading policy think-tank in Nigeria, dedicated to cultivating top-level leaders and policymakers capable of strategizing and implementing policies that drive national development. Through events like this lecture series, the institute aims to reposition Nigeria’s economic trajectory towards sustainability and diversification.

As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of economic diversification in a fluctuating global economy, the Blue Economy presents a promising path. Dr. Dosunmu’s advocacy highlights a critical pivot towards maritime and marine-based economic activities that could secure a prosperous future while promoting environmental stewardship.

The call to action from experts like Dr. Dosunmu signals a growing recognition of the Blue Economy’s strategic importance. With coordinated efforts, Nigeria could transform its vast aquatic resources into engines of growth, employment, and sustainable development, paving the way for a resilient and diversified economy.

Dr. Ade Dosunmu (left) and a participant during the Senior Executive Course 47, 2025, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos.