Nigeria’s ‘Sea Blindness’ Threatens Blue Economy Potential, Experts Warn
Maritime Leaders Sound Alarm Over Neglected Coastal Resources
Maritime experts have issued a stark warning about Nigeria’s failure to capitalize on its vast ocean resources, with the country’s “sea blindness” now posing a significant threat to economic sustainability. At a recent executive course organized by the Nigerian Navy’s International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION), specialists painted a troubling picture of wasted potential along Nigeria’s 54,000 square nautical mile maritime domain.
The Vanishing Waterways
What were once bustling hubs of commercial ferry operations and thriving fishing communities have deteriorated into neglected waterways, experts revealed. Many inland channels now sit abandoned or polluted, while ferry services that could connect coastal communities have dramatically diminished.
Rear Admiral Francis Dan Akpan (rtd), Chairman of the Maritime Security Practitioners Association of Nigeria, delivered a sobering assessment: “Sea blindness is the ignorance of people to appreciate the importance of the maritime domain. This applies not just to the public, but also to policymakers and scholars.”
Policy Promise vs. Implementation Reality
While acknowledging the Nigerian government’s ambitious 10-year Marine and Blue Economy Policy (2025–2035) as a positive step, experts expressed skepticism about execution. The policy aims to create three million jobs, establish six modern fish processing plants, boost coastal tourism, and attract $2 billion in offshore renewable energy investments by 2025.
Funke Agbor, President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association, described the blueprint as “a beautiful document,” but echoed a familiar refrain: “Implementation has always been Nigeria’s problem.” She lamented how the country continues taking its coastal advantages for granted, missing opportunities in maritime tourism, transportation, and other ocean-derived benefits.
The Collapse of Nigeria’s Fishing Industry
Akpan highlighted the particularly dramatic decline of Nigeria’s fishing sector, drawing unfavorable comparisons with global counterparts: “There is no seaport you visit in Asia or Europe where fishing trawlers don’t go out in the evening and return in the morning. In Nigeria, the industry has collapsed.”
Experts attributed this collapse to multiple factors including unregulated foreign fishing operations, depleted fish stocks, and critical infrastructure gaps—particularly the lack of modern trawlers and cold chain facilities needed to preserve catches.
Losing Regional Dominance
Dr. Obiora Madu of Multimix Academy warned that Nigeria risks losing its maritime leadership position in West and Central Africa. Pointing to the recent classification of Togo’s Lome port as the region’s shipping hub, Madu called for urgent reforms to address environmental neglect, outdated infrastructure, and weak policy execution.
“We’re watching our dominance slip away due to preventable failures,” Madu stated. “While neighboring countries modernize their maritime sectors, Nigeria’s potential remains trapped by inaction and short-term thinking.”
Media’s Role in Shaping the Future
IMION Director General Thaddeus Udofia (Rtd) emphasized the critical role journalists must play in reversing this trend. The executive course aimed to equip media professionals with knowledge about marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, blue energy, and ocean governance.
“The oceans sustain life, livelihoods, and entire economies, but face increasing pressure from unsustainable practices and climate change,” Udofia noted. He challenged journalists to use their platforms to shape public understanding, influence policy, and promote environmental stewardship.
A Call to Action
As Nigeria’s population grows and land-based resources face increasing strain, experts agree the country can no longer afford to ignore its blue economy potential. The warnings issued at the IMION event suggest Nigeria stands at a crossroads—either harness its maritime wealth through coordinated action, or watch other nations capitalize on resources right off its shores.
The coming years will test whether policymakers can translate ambitious blue economy plans into tangible results, or if “sea blindness” will continue leaving Nigeria’s maritime potential adrift.
Full credit to the original publisher: The Guardian Nigeria