Nigeria’s Blue Economy holds great potentials for the country and can contribute 1.5 trillion dollars to the global economy if properly utilised.
The sector is also said to have the capacity to create over 30 million jobs as well as supply vital source of protein to over three billion people globally.
The Vice Chancellor, Maduka University, Enugu State, Professor Charles Ogbulogo made this known while delivering a paper at as the Special Guest Lecturer at the 2023 Convocation, Matriculation and Awards Ceremony of Crown Maritime Academy (CMA) with the theme: “Marine And Blue Economy Ministry: ‘Catch-Alls And Caveats’ For The Tinubu Administration”.
While delivering his paper titled: “The Force of Leadership in Maximizing the Blue Economy: A Nigerian Challenge”, Prof. Ogbulogo noted that “humanity has desecrated the ‘bond with nature’ and acquatic life was in grave danger”.
Corroborating the World Bank, the unassuming Grade A academic who was represented at the event by the Rector, CMA, Dr. Musa Akinyemi, explained that the blue economy is the “Sustainable use of the ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.
He said: “The blue economy is also called the Ocean Economy. The ocean economy is concerned with the use of ocean resources with emphasis on the empowering of its economic system. Since the core focus of the Blue Economy Is anchored on the receptacle of sustainability, it is a part of the Green Economy.”
“The world has transited from the emphasis on the brick-and-mortar business to the era of the knowledge economy, the care economy, the green and the blue economy. And, therefore, there is the fear that, just as has been the case with previous paradigm shifts, many destitute nations would be left behind”.
