By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Ade Dosunmu, has called on Nigeria to take decisive steps in harnessing the vast potential of the Blue Economy as a strategic path toward economic diversification.
Dr. Dosunmu made the call on Thursday while delivering a lecture titled “Blue Economy and Economic Diversification: Opportunities and Challenges” to participants of the Senior Executive Course 47, 2025, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos.
He described the Blue Economy—which encompasses the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs—as a critical opportunity to reduce Nigeria’s over-dependence on hydrocarbons.
“The Blue Economy offers a unique and timely solution to Nigeria’s perennial dependence on hydrocarbon resources,” Dr. Dosunmu said. “With strategic reforms, robust policies, and stronger collaboration among agencies and stakeholders, the sector can significantly boost national revenue and secure a prosperous future for our country.”
In his address, Dr. Dosunmu outlined the sector’s potential to drive job creation, foster environmental sustainability, and generate long-term economic growth. He, however, warned that Nigeria must urgently address regulatory gaps, environmental threats, and capacity constraints to fully unlock the sector’s benefits.
The lecture was part of a series of engagements that also featured papers on Foreign Direct Investment in the Blue Economy, Sustainable Coastal Tourism and Recreation in Nigeria, and Fisheries and Aquaculture in Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
Established to groom top-level leaders and policymakers, the NIPSS is Nigeria’s foremost policy think-tank, playing a pivotal role in shaping strategies for national development.