Blue economy TV debuts in Lagos, signalling new media push for Nigeria’s ocean economy

 

 

Maureen Aguta

 

A new chapter in Nigeria’s maritime and ocean-based development agenda opened on Monday with the launch of Blue Economy TV (BETV), a specialised broadcast platform positioned to drive awareness, investment and policy engagement across the country’s underutilised marine sector.

Unveiled in Lagos, the channel—described by promoters as Africa’s first dedicated blue economy television platform—will focus on critical segments including shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, marine services and environmental sustainability.

The initiative, conceived by the Blue Economy Academy, drew participation from government officials, maritime stakeholders and industry experts, reflecting growing institutional interest in harnessing Nigeria’s vast coastal and inland water resources.

Speaking at the launch, General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, Emmanuel Oluwadamilola, underscored the strategic importance of Lagos’ maritime assets to national economic growth.

He noted that the state’s more than 180 kilometres of coastline and over 140 kilometres of inland waterways form a critical trade corridor supporting the bulk of Nigeria’s international commerce, yet remain significantly under-leveraged.

According to him, BETV represents a shift in both narrative and intent.
“For years, we have underestimated the value of our waters. What this platform does is reframe that thinking—positioning our maritime space not as a boundary, but as an engine for jobs, mobility, food security and sustainable growth,” he said.

Oluwadamilola added that the channel would help unlock opportunities across the blue economy value chain by amplifying underreported stories, fostering informed dialogue and linking policy to practical outcomes.

He described the launch as part of a broader awakening within the sector, signalling Lagos’ readiness to lead in the development of a sustainable, investment-driven ocean economy.

Founder of the Blue Economy Academy, Ubong Essien, said the creation of BETV was driven by the need to bridge knowledge gaps and accelerate the translation of Nigeria’s marine potential into measurable economic outcomes.
Tracing the origin of the initiative to the Academy’s mission, Essien said the institution was established to promote practical, industry-focused learning capable of driving immediate implementation.

“We are building an ecosystem where knowledge leads directly to action. Nigeria’s coastline—from Badagry to Bakassi—holds immense economic promise, but that promise must be deliberately unlocked,” he said.

Essien drew a distinction between the traditional maritime sector and the broader concept of the blue economy, describing the latter as a multi-layered ecosystem encompassing commerce, governance, climate, energy and finance.
He noted that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, is uniquely positioned to evolve into a hub for “blue capital,” attracting investment into ocean-linked industries.

The television platform, he added, will extend the Academy’s vision by using media as a tool for national reorientation, policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

Programmes such as Blue Morning Nigeria and Watchers of the Seas are expected to drive discourse, alongside dedicated news content focused on maritime developments and sustainability issues.

Essien also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among coastal and water-linked states, warning that a lack of awareness—what he termed “sea blindness”—continues to limit the sector’s growth potential.

“For this economy to thrive, littoral states must take the lead, while others along the blue corridor must recognise their stake. This is about building a national consciousness around our identity as a maritime nation,” he said.

Industry participants at the event described the launch as timely, coming amid increasing global attention on sustainable ocean economies as drivers of growth, climate resilience and food security.

With Nigeria seeking to diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbons, BETV is expected to serve as a strategic communication platform—shaping narratives, informing policy and catalysing investment in one of the country’s most promising but underdeveloped frontiers.