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01-07 

1 

 

 

 

Review 

Role of the mass media in the sustainability of blue 

economy in Nigeria 
Edith Oghenechovwe Otuya-Asohro* 

Department of Mass Communication, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria 

               A R T I C L E   I N F O 
 

Article history: 
Received 21 August 2024  
Received in revised form 
25 September 2024 
Accepted 07 October 2024 
 
Keywords:  
Blue economy, Mass media, Economic growth, 
Sustainable development, Ecosystem, Ocean 
 
*Corresponding author 
Email address: 
otuyaedith@gmail.com 
 
 
DOI: 10.55670/fpll.fusus.2.4.1 
 

A B S T R A C T 
 

In recent years, the blue economy has gained significant economic momentum 

in many countries as a viable means of sustainable economic growth and 

development while engendering the sustainability of the ecosystem. 

Consequently, the blue economy is now acknowledged as a veritable means of 

boosting the socioeconomic growth and development of a country without 

jeopardizing the sustainability of the ocean and other water bodies. This study 

examines the potential of the blue economy in Nigeria and the benefits 

accruable to it if it is properly harnessed. It also highlights the role of the mass 

media in setting the agenda for public discourse and carrying out 

developmental functions by creating awareness and educating the citizenry on 

the numerous opportunities and benefits of the blue economy and the 

importance of maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. The study adopted 

literature-based research as its methodology. Furthermore, the study anchored 

on the Agenda-Setting Theory and the Development Media Theory as its 

theoretical approach. Findings revealed that the majority of the Nigerian 

population, especially those inhabiting the riverine areas and the ocean 

coastline, are ignorant of the potential of the blue economy in spite of their 

unfettered access to the marine ecosystem through the expansive inland rivers 

and the Atlantic Ocean. Findings further revealed that the government has a 

share of the blame due to the absence of specific policies and programs that will 

bring the economic benefits of the blue economy to the fore.    

 

1. Introduction 

The ocean is the major focal point of the blue economy. 

About 75% of the earth’s surface is covered by ocean water 

bodies. These oceans and seas have several uses, such as 

recreation and transportation of heavy-weight goods across 

continents; the ocean also regulates the climates and source 

of salt and natural mineral resources for human consumption 

and usage. The ocean also provides the earth with oxygen, 

absorbs heat, recycles waste, and serves as a sinkhole for 

carbon dioxide. The ocean is also harnessed for the 

generation of energy, which is beneficial to mankind. 

However, for the ocean to effectively and efficiently maintain 

its utilitarian value to humanity and the ecosystem, it must be 

healthy because, without a healthy ocean, there is no place for 

human existence and livelihood. However, it is heart-rending 

that despite the immense benefit of the oceans to human 

existence, mankind still exerts undue pressure on the ocean 

system by inflicting unhealthy and deleterious activities like 

sewage disposal, waste pollution, oil pollution, overfishing, 

and incessant exploration on it [1]. The preservation and 

conservation of biodiversity and vital marine habitats to 

ensure the sustainability of ocean resources is the fulcrum of 

the blue economy. Thus, the blue economy entails identifying 

and using oceanic resources and potentials without 

compromising the oceans’ sustainability. The blue economy is 

a water-dependent economic endeavor that includes marine 

biotechnology, renewable energy, shipping, aquaculture, and 

tourism. The ocean and water bodies are the backbone of 

the blue economy. The blue economy is adept at creating 

employment opportunities, generating foreign exchange 

earnings, improving livelihood, and diversification of coastal 

economies, which ultimately improves the GDP of blue 

economy-compliant countries. Nigeria is well-endowed, with 

a vast ocean coastline of about 870km and over 3000km of 

inland waterways. The country is blessed with numerous 

natural resources, such as iron ore, tin, coal, zinc, limestone, 

Future Sustainability 

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EO. Asohro/Future Sustainability                                                                                         November 2024| Volume 02 | Issue 04 | Pages 01-07 

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natural gas, crude oil, and other minerals. However, her 

overdependence on crude oil and natural gas has made 

macroeconomic planners myopic and unable to effectively 

diversify the economy by embracing other viable sources like 

the blue economy and tourism to generate foreign exchange 

earnings [2]. The blue economy is aimed at engendering 

economic growth, conservation of the marine ecosystem, 

improved livelihood, and simultaneously 

promoting ecological sustainability of the oceans and other 

water bodies. The importance of the blue economy to 

Nigeria’s economy cannot be overemphasized because it is an 

irrefutable fact that the blue economy can boost the economic 

standing of a country and enhance her national GDP through 

various sectors like fisheries, renewable energy, maritime 

transportation, tourism, deep sea minerals exploitation, and 

waste management. If sustainably utilized in Nigeria, the blue 

economy can serve as a catalyst and a tactical business 

gumption to bolster a country's economic foundation. Thus, 

this study aims to bring to the fore the immense benefits of a 

healthy ocean and its impact on the economy. The study also 

seeks to highlight the economic benefit of the blue economy 

to the Nigerian government when it is struggling with 

dwindling foreign exchange receipts from crude oil, economic 

recession, and inflation. Furthermore, since it is evident that 

both the populace and the government are oblivious to the 

extraordinary capacity of a well-harnessed blue economy to 

boost the economy, this study also aims to interrogate the role 

of the media in ensuring that awareness is created about the 

viability and sustainability of the blue economy in Nigeria.  

2. Literature review 

2.1 The concept of the blue economy 

The blue economy is a broad term encompassing every 

known economic endeavor that is ocean-driven or connected 

therewith, directly or obliquely. The importance of the ocean 

to human survival from the earliest recorded evidence of 

human existence in pre-historic times is incontrovertible. In 

climatology and environmental studies, it is widely 

acknowledged that the ocean provides the earth with the 

greatest carbon sink as it absorbs carbon in the atmosphere 

and helps regulate the climate. The ocean also provides 

mankind with vital lifesaving and life-enhancing natural 

resources such as medicines, food, biofuels, and other 

resources. Undoubtedly, the ocean has, over the years, been a 

viable source of economic activity due to its ubiquitous 

nature. Nowadays, several countries all over the continents 

are pulling their resources together to ensure that they take 

the utmost advantage of oceanic wealth [3]. However, in spite 

of the numerous benefits of the ocean to mankind, it has not 

been spared from vicious abuse and mindless exploitation by 

iniquitous and ignorant persons and entities, which has 

negatively impacted its ability to sustain mankind in the way 

intended by nature continuously. The concept of a blue 

economy officially came to the limelight in June 2012 during 

the Rio+20 Summit, hosted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the 

auspices of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable 

Development. The blue economy is a uniquely wide concept 

aggregating all economic activities that border water bodies 

and other ecosystems to engender sustainable economic 

development. The blue economy also has a wide latitude and 

capacity to enhance the socio-economic growth of a country, 

improve the standard of living of the citizenry, create 

employment opportunities, and sustain the overall well-being 

of oceanic resources and the ecosystem. If effectively 

harnessed and properly managed, a blue economy can boost 

a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Additionally, it is 

another reliable means of foreign exchange earnings, 

renewable energy generation, and replenishing biodiversity 

loss. Furthermore, the blue economy, if successfully 

integrated with the tourism industry, will generate a 

multiplier effect that is strong enough to stimulate 

socioeconomic growth and development. Moreover, a fully 

functional blue economy will deepen and boost shipbuilding 

technology, hydrogen fuel, and bio-fuel development [1]. To 

further elucidate this point, Odey [2] asserts that a blue 

economy is an innovative economic exploitation approach 

comprising oceans, lakes, rivers, and other water bodies. In 

addition, he asserted that a blue economy, if duly harnessed, 

can result in economic growth, improved livelihood of the 

citizenry, engender social inclusion, and ensure 

the preservation and sustainability of the ecosystem. He also 

emphasized that the concept of the blue economy considers 

non-marketable economic benefits such as protecting the 

coastal environment, storing carbon, and promoting and 

preserving cultural values and diversity. Consequently, a 

well-hinged blue economy policy will proffer effective 

solutions to environmental challenges, which can make 

otherwise limited resources abundant. Thus, the concept of 

blue economy is focused on addressing issues such as the 

depletion of natural resources and climate change by 

providing a platform that will help minimize negative 

environmental impact. Hence, a blue economy is essential to 

balance conservation and adequate usage of oceanic 

resources while maintaining a healthy ecosystem [4]. In an 

economically challenged country like Nigeria, confronted by 

many human developmental issues ranging from extreme 

poverty to meeting the United Nations Sustainable 

Development Goals, a well-developed blue economy sector 

will help in no small measure to address some of these 

challenges. 

2.2 Blue economy in Nigeria 

Despite Nigeria’s vast coastline, these ocean resources 

are yet to be fully harnessed. In a related study titled 

“Broadening Nigeria’s Revenue Base: Exploring Blue 

Economy Activities”, available statistics show that Nigeria is 

endowed with about 870km coastline and over 3000km 

inland waterways coupled with a variety of natural resources. 

Consequently, Nigeria’s enormous coastline and maritime 

territories should drive sustainable development and growth 

of her economic sector, improve the standard of living, create 

jobs, serve as an avenue for international trade, and generate 

foreign exchange earnings when optimally utilized. In 

addition, a relatively sustainable blue economy also 

engenders social togetherness and environmental 

conservation [5, 6]. Sadly, the Nigerian government is yet to 

fully take advantage of the enormous opportunities that are 

embedded in a diverse economy, while countries like 

Australia, the United States of America, and Brazil have 

developed favorable and workable policies that are geared 

towards achieving measurable outcomes from effective 

utilization of their ocean resources. In Canada, for example, 



EO. Asohro/Future Sustainability                                                                                         November 2024| Volume 02 | Issue 04 | Pages 01-07 

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the government established several institutions specifically 

designed to monitor and ensure the implementation of 

policies related to the ocean and blue economy. Statistics 

show that 267.3 billion m3 of surface water and 52 billion m3 

of groundwater are available annually in Nigeria. Ironically, 

90% of this vast amount of water resources have not been 

harnessed. As a result of her inability to effectively and 

efficiently maximize the various opportunities inherent in the 

blue economy, the country is losing substantial revenue that 

it ought to have generated from the proper utilization of 

the blue economy. The primary factor mitigating the 

development and sustainability of the blue economy in 

Nigeria is her over-dependence on crude oil, which has 

beclouded her sense of judgment and impeded her ability to 

harness the numerous benefits of economic diversification, 

especially at this critical period where the country is 

grappling, with hyperinflation and economic hardship [ 5, 7]. 

Likewise, other major obstacles to the development of a blue 

economy in Nigeria is endemic corruption, as can be seen 

from unfriendly business practices by government regulatory 

agencies and full-blown insecurity on our waterways and 

continental shelf where sea pirates operate unchallenged in 

the Gulf of Guinea, Bight of Bonny, Bight of Benin and 

adjoining inland waterways. There is no doubt that the blue 

economy is an integral catalyst that is capable of boosting 

economic development in Nigeria, but only if the government 

can successfully curb the above-outlined twin menaces of 

corruption and insecurity that continue to threaten the 

economic standing of the nation. To buttress this point 

further, reference [5] asserts that sustainable development of 

the blue economy is highly dependent on the incorporation of 

both short and long-term policies and economic activities that 

are hinged on social inclusion, economic growth, 

environmental conservation, and adequate utilization of 

oceanic resources and coastal areas. Hence, for Nigeria to 

sustainably benefit from the blue economy, there is an urgent 

need for economic diversification. This diversification will 

help the country overcome crude oil dependency syndrome 

caused by the attendant crash of oil prices in the international 

markets and the post-COVID depressed economy. More so, 

most Western countries that are the major consumers of our 

crude oil are gradually discarding the use of fossil fuel in the 

bid to reduce global warming, while some others have set 

concrete timelines for complete migration from the use of 

fossil fuel to renewable energy in the near future. Thus, 

economic diversification is one reliable source that will help 

Nigeria to navigate the rough and high tide smoothly, and 

the blue economy is a reliable catalyst that can bring about 

exponential economic growth as the world gradually moves 

away from dependence on hydrocarbon as a source of energy 

to power their respective economies. Therefore, the Nigerian 

government must make a conscious and deliberate effort to 

formulate policies and ensure the full implementation of 

these policies to foster the development of the blue economy 

and its allied businesses as alternative sources of generating 

revenue and foreign exchange earnings instead of crude oil. 

2.3 Sectors of blue economy 

2.3.1 Marine biotechnology 

Marine biotechnology plays a significant role in 

conserving and managing oceans and coastal areas.  It also 

involves utilizing scientific and biological knowledge and 

using aquatic life, micro-organisms, and compounds to 

produce goods and offer services. Biotechnology involves 

harnessing opportunities that are founded on natural marine 

products and their application in the food and pharmaceutical 

sectors. Marine biotechnology can improve energy security 

and human and environmental health due to the increasing 

impact of marine biotechnological resources in these sectors 

because the ocean is a rich source of biological and chemical 

varieties. The species of microorganisms found in the ocean 

are used in the production of pharmaceutical products, 

nutritional supplements, molecular probes, and other 

commercialized enzymes and chemical components [8]. 

Besides its benefits and contribution to human health, marine 

biotechnology, if fully harnessed, can curb epidemics, 

pandemics, and other public health emergencies, create 

employment and generate revenue.  

2.3.2 Renewable energy 

Renewable energy is often called clean energy because 

it is generated from natural sources such as water, wind, sun, 

biological materials, and the earth’s crust, unlike conventional 

energy, which is mostly generated from fossil fuels. Some 

sources of renewable energy the ocean provides 

include waves, biomass, wind, tidal salinity, thermal 

conversion, and gradients. Renewable energy protects the 

environment from pollution and depletion of the ozone layer, 

which is responsible for global warming. It is also a viable 

source of generating foreign exchange earnings and energy 

security, provides relatively affordable energy to rural areas, 

and creates employment opportunities. Several studies have 

shown that renewable energy can provide adequate primary 

energy to meet national demand and reduce greenhouse 

gases by 3.2kg of carbon dioxide, equivalent to biodiesel. Due 

to the rise in industrial activities, global climate change, and a 

growing national population, there is a high demand for 

energy in our homes and industries, so much so that fossil fuel 

can no longer meet the demand for energy in Nigeria because 

of its rising cost and scarcity. Consequently, Nigeria's need for 

an alternative energy source is undeniable and urgent. For 

Nigeria to adequately harness the benefits of renewable 

energy, it must have the right policies in place, while the 

government should make realistic budgetary provisions that 

will ensure a smooth implementation and operation of 

renewable energy programs [9].  

2.3.3 Shipping and transportation  

The ocean provides the most reliable, efficient, and cost-

effective mode of transporting massive quantities of goods 

and commodities across the globe. Seaports are integral 

infrastructures that catalyze economic growth and 

development. They play vital roles in expanding international 

trade and commerce, translating to a reliable source of 

foreign exchange earnings, creating employment 

opportunities, encouraging expansion and growth of allied 

businesses, and contributing greatly to a country’s GDP. 

Globally, maritime transport accounts for the movement of 

80% of the volume of international trade cargo and is 

accountable for over 70% of its value.  Shipping is the primary 

means of transporting goods in large quantities; hence, it has 

greatly facilitated world trade and economic growth and 

development. Although Nigeria occupies a meager 853 km 



EO. Asohro/Future Sustainability                                                                                         November 2024| Volume 02 | Issue 04 | Pages 01-07 

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out of 47,000km of Africa’s coastline, its strategic 

geographical location is an added advantage as it serves as a 

gateway to diverse countries and geographical regions of the 

world, which has made it a hub for maritime transportation 

and allied businesses in the sub-region.  Hence, for improved 

economic activities and better outcomes, deliberate effort 

must be made to escalate the current level of maritime 

services in Nigeria by the government. This is because an 

improved maritime services industry will lead to seamless 

connectivity of regional markets, acceleration of trade, and 

cross-border movement of people, thus fostering all-inclusive 

growth. Investment in the construction and maintenance of 

seaports and infrastructure like shipbuilding and 

maintenance facilities will greatly contribute to territorial 

integration and the speedy movement of people and goods 

[10, 11].  However, it is unfortunate that Nigeria, despite 

being conspicuously strategically located, has no viable 

shipping line and ports and has failed to take advantage of the 

huge revenue from maritime transportation and its allied 

businesses. The Apapa and Tincan Island Ports, both located 

in Lagos, which are regarded as the flagships of maritime 

business in Nigeria, are in a state of decay due to years of 

neglect by the government and have lost the competitive edge 

of doing business with ports in nearby countries. Deplorable 

access roads to these ports and a lack of modern cargo 

handling facilities have further exacerbated an already bad 

situation.  It is doubtful if the newly inaugurated Lekki Deep 

Sea Port can reverse this ugly trend. In her days of sub-

regional maritime pre-eminence, the defunct Nigerian 

National Shipping Line had over 40 ocean-going vessels, 

whereas the story is different today. In a desperate bid to 

reclaim the days of glory, the government enacted the 

Cabotage Act in 2003 in order to encourage indigenous 

shipping companies to participate in maritime transportation 

business within Nigeria's inland waterways and coastal 

waters, but this initiative has also been deflated like a lead 

balloon as a result of the inability of these indigenous 

shipping companies to acquire the required coastal vessels 

[7]. Owing to this colossal failure, foreign shipping companies 

have surreptitiously regained and reasserted their 

dominance of businesses in our seaports and maritime 

transportation business.  

2.4 Coastal tourism 

Coastal tourism performs a significant function in the 

sustainability and conservation of coastal areas and other 

water bodies. Coastal tourism involves movement from one’s 

regular abode to coastal areas or seabed zones for relaxation 

and pleasure. This is a viable means of generating foreign 

exchange earnings and boosting other allied businesses and 

the local economy. Coastal tourism serves the dual purpose of 

improving socioeconomic growth and promoting the tourist 

location's rich cultural heritage and diversity. Unfortunately, 

Nigeria, blessed with diverse water resources ranging from 

inland waters to a beautiful ocean coastline, has yet to fully 

harness the economic and social benefits of coastal tourism. 

Globally, tourism is one of the fastest-growing businesses 

capable of boosting a country's GDP due to its multiplier effect 

on other sectors of the economy. It is acknowledged that a 

well-developed coastal tourism sector will lead to an 

economic boom, conservation of coastal areas and maritime 

attraction, preservation of cultural heritage, and stimulation 

of recreational and educational values [12]. 

2.5 Aquaculture 

Aquaculture has been identified as an integral sector of 

the blue economy in that it is a guaranteed channel of 

sustainable supply of seafood, which helps to cushion the 

increased demand of a growing population, and it is also a 

viable source of foreign exchange earnings, which facilitates 

social cohesion and economic development. A study revealed 

that out of the 6.30 million metric tons of fish caught by 

African fishermen, 3.80 million metric tons were caught from 

Nigeria’s waters. Furthermore, in a recent study, it was 

discovered that notwithstanding the huge economic 

significance of the fishing sector, the Nigerian government has 

failed to give it the much-needed attention to flourish. Nigeria 

is endowed with large coastal areas and freshwater 

resources, which ordinarily is an atmosphere that is 

conducive for fish farming and rearing, but regrettably, 

Nigeria spends billions of dollars every year on fish 

importation and other seafood like shrimps and lobsters. The 

lack of government attention to aquaculture is costing Nigeria 

the huge benefits available in the sector [13, 14]. It is shocking 

that despite the persistent excruciating poverty in rural areas 

and amongst coastal dwellers, the national and sub-national 

governments have paid little or no attention to such a critical 

sector that is capable of lifting millions of people out of 

poverty. 

3. Factors mitigating against the exploitation and 

sustainability of blue economy in Nigeria 

Despite the numerous opportunities and benefits that lie 

unexplored in the various sectors of the blue economy in 

Nigeria, there are several factors threatening the full 

realization of these enormous potentials and sustainability in 

Nigeria. Some of these factors include: 

1) Absence of Credible Policies and Programs for the Sector: 

Being a third-world country, the importance of the 

government as the key driver of every sector of the economy 

is critical to national development. It is inexcusable that the 

government of Nigeria has no clear road map on how to 

develop the sector. Though the government pretends that it 

has opened virtually every sector of the economy to private 

sector participation, this is not reality. It is self-defeating for 

the government not to do its part while inviting private 

participation in the blue economy sector. There is no doubt 

that the Nigerian economy can generate not less than one 

billion US dollars annually from the blue economy. The 

Nigerian coastal belt is inundated with shanties and 

ramshackle structures instead of well-appointed tourism 

beaches and resorts whose enormous contribution to the 

local and national economy is not in doubt had they been 

properly harnessed. Ironically, the government is not any 

different from the locals who own these shanties that have 

become a blight on the beautiful coastline. Under the guise of 

constructing the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, the Federal 

government of Nigeria destroyed several tourist resorts 

worth billions of dollars along the coastline in spite of the fact 

most of them have been in existence for over forty years. The 

seaports are not faring any better, having suffered from serial 

neglect by successive governments.  



EO. Asohro/Future Sustainability                                                                                         November 2024| Volume 02 | Issue 04 | Pages 01-07 

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2) Overfishing: Overfishing has been an age-long foe of 

the blue economy. The unsustainable and illegal fishing 

practices have resulted in the depletion of breeding fish 

stocks, thus endangering the ocean ecosystem and those 

dependent on them. Overfishing depletes ocean animal 

populations and can lead to limited biological growth and low 

biomass levels. Many communities around coastal areas rely 

heavily on fish as a source of food and income. Hence, when 

the population of fish declines as a result of overfishing, these 

communities are faced with economic hardship and 

instability. The situation would have been different if these 

local fishermen had access to fishing trawlers that would have 

enabled them to embark on proper offshore fishing 

endeavors, thus allowing the fish population around the 

coastline adequate time to regenerate. 

3) Indiscriminate Pollution of the ocean and other water 

bodies: Some illicit human exploitative activities and 

environmental degradation of the oceanic ecosystem severely 

affect the potential of blue economy resources. The reckless 

disposal of toxic industrial waste, human waste, oil spills, 

harmful chemical substances, and plastic waste into the sea 

and other water bodies results in the contamination of the 

ecosystem and the avoidable death of marine organisms, 

which in the long run affects the environment. This 

indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste into the ocean and 

other water bodies is hazardous to the sustainability of the 

blue economy because it can result in ocean acidification, 

water pollution, and land degradation. Pollution of coastal 

areas seriously threatens the productivity and sustainability 

of the blue economy in Nigeria [15]. 

4) Poor Infrastructure and Management: Nigeria is yet to 

catch up with other developed countries in terms of 

shipbuilding and marine transportation as a result of poor 

infrastructural development and management. Sadly, instead 

of taking advantage of her geographical location and investing 

in the sector of aquaculture, Nigeria has degenerated to the 

abysmal level of importing otherwise available local fish 

varieties like herring locally called Shawa, Horse Mackerel 

(Titus), blue whiting(panla), Argentina Silus (Shiny) and the 

popular croaker fish, and other aquatic species such as 

shrimps, prawns, oysters and lobsters. Data from the Nigeria 

Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Nigeria spent N50.78 

billion on the importation of fish in the third quarter of 2023 

[16]. 

5) Lack of Awareness: There is a substantial lack of 

knowledge among the populace about ocean-based resources, 

marine and aquatic life, opportunities offered by the ocean 

and coastal areas, and the effect of pollution on the ocean 

habitats and the entire ecosystem. There is almost a near 

absence of marine education in the educational curriculum, 

and this has further perpetuated pervasive ignorance among 

a critical segment of the population. Most of the Nigerian 

population is oblivious to the opportunities embedded in 

the blue economy. The sustainability of the blue economy is 

highly dependent on the availability of a technically skilled 

workforce who understands the ocean's peculiarity and 

innovative engineering technologies [17]. 

6) Climate Change: Climate change plays a pivotal role in the 

sustainability of the blue economy. Some extreme climate 

changes have made the ecosystem susceptible to extreme 

weather conditions that have hampered Nigeria's blue 

economy's development. Climate change phenomena include 

global warming, rising sea levels, droughts, erosion, tidal 

surges, saline water intrusion, changes in precipitation, ocean 

acidification, floods, and cyclones. Some of these changes 

result in the death of aquatic life, migration of species, low 

biodiversity, disruption of the marine food chain, coral 

belching, and, ultimately, affecting the national economy [18].  

4. The role of the mass media in advancing the blue 

economy in Nigeria 

Globally, the concept of a blue economy is fast gaining 

traction as major stakeholders like government agencies, 

scientists, multi-disciplinary scholars, entrepreneurs, and 

diverse industries have been drawn to this economic 

initiative. More countries are enacting and implementing 

favorable policies and programs daily that will enable them to 

fully harness the potential and benefits of a well-developed 

blue economy sector. However, unlike other countries whose 

macroeconomic planners are constantly exploring multiple 

means of economic diversification, Nigeria is still grappling 

with its failed dependence on crude oil. For any economy to 

thrive, the citizenry must be carried along as the government 

formulates policies from planning to execution. Citizen 

participation guarantees better outcomes in the attainment of 

the development goals of an economy. In Nigeria, many 

citizens are ignorant of the concept of a blue economy and the 

need for the sustainability and conservation of the ocean. 

Neither do they know the economic opportunities available in 

coastal areas and other water bodies [17]. The major function 

of the mass media is disseminating information because it is 

saddled with the responsibility of informing and educating 

the citizenry, keeping them abreast and up to date with issues 

that border on everything, especially regarding the economy 

and national development. Over the years, the media has 

proven its ability to build consensus on diverse subject 

matters and hence is regarded as a powerful force in 

disseminating information because of its capacity to reach 

every segment of society, including the elite and commoners 

alike [19-22]. Consequently, the onus lies on the mass media 

to leverage its agenda-setting advantage to craft narratives 

about the blue economy that inspire action from the populace 

and government. Therefore, there should be a collaboration 

between the government and the media focused on setting up 

strategic, effective communication tools capable of propelling 

sustainable blue economy practices. Thus, it is necessary to 

educate and inform members of the public on the numerous 

potentials and major challenges facing the development of 

the blue economy. The role of the mass media in the 

advancement and sustainability of the blue economy cannot 

be over-emphasized. The media is not only saddled with the 

responsibility of informing and educating but also a genuine 

platform for engendering development operations. To further 

elucidate, Suleimam et al. [22] assert that the mass media is a 

formidable agent of mass mobilization that can be effectively 

used to achieve developmental goals and objectives. As an 

intermediary, the mass media engages the public and 

transmits to them the significance of preserving the 

ecosystem and maintaining a healthy coastal environment. 

The citizenry must be carried along through the whole blue 

economy process. Hence, the government should always 



EO. Asohro/Future Sustainability                                                                                         November 2024| Volume 02 | Issue 04 | Pages 01-07 

6 

 

leverage the mass media as a viable tool for mass literacy, 

advocacy, and awareness of the blue economy. 

5. Theoretical framework 

The study adopts the Agenda Setting Theory and the 

Developmental Media Theory as its theoretical approach. The 

Agenda-Setting Theory propounded by McCombs & Shaw 

posits that the media plays a pivotal role in influencing the 

mindset and opinions of the citizenry by telling them what to 

think about and what not to think about, issues that are more 

important, and issues that are trivial. The theory further 

asserts that the quality of attention given to a particular issue 

by the mass media is directly proportional to the level of value 

and importance that will be attached to it by the audience. To 

elucidate, Suleimam et al. [22] opine that the media may not 

immediately change the mindset and opinion of the audience 

on a particular issue; however, it subtly changes the 

perception of what is important. Consequently, the media has 

the capacity to create developmental issues that require 

attention in the consciousness of the people in a country. The 

mass media also sets the agenda for public discourse through 

prominent and persistent coverage and reportage of 

development news and issues that affect the socioeconomic 

well-being of the citizenry and the country at large. This 

theory is suitable for this study because it places great 

emphasis on the media as a viable tool for development 

communication. Creating awareness of the benefits of the 

blue economy and educating the people on the importance of 

preservation and the conservation of our coastal areas and 

oceans will engender the growth, development, and 

sustainability of the blue economy in Nigeria. Therefore, by 

setting the agenda for public discourse, the citizens 

familiarize themselves with the various sectors of the blue 

economy and ways of utilizing it in order to ensure national 

development while improving their socioeconomic well-

being at the same time. The Development Media Theory was 

propounded by Dennis McQuail who posits that the focal 

point of the mass media in developing countries such as 

Nigeria should be on national development. This theory states 

that mass media is a powerful tool that can be used to enhance 

national socioeconomic growth and the development of a 

country. Furthermore, the theory advocates that both the 

government and the mass media must make conscious and 

deliberate collaborative efforts in order to achieve desirable 

results. While the mass media carries out informative, 

educative, and developmental functions, the government 

should deploy the mass media and use it as a medium to 

communicate its goals and socioeconomic policies. By so 

doing, the citizenry is kept abreast with government efforts 

and policies, and this encourages citizens to participate in 

development activities [20]. In addition, the theory insists 

that the media, as an agent of mass mobilization, is 

responsible for ensuring that the appropriate information is 

being disseminated to the citizenry at the right time. This 

theory also argues that for a nation to be vested and 

economically developed, there is an urgent need for the mass 

media not to relent in carrying out its duties to foster national 

development. However, it is worth noting that the media 

needs a conducive environment in terms of press freedom to 

fully function in its capacity as the societal watchdog and act 

as the fourth estate of the realm as it carries out its duty. 

6. Methodology 

This paper adopted literature-based research as its 

methodology through the exploration of the literary works of 

several scholars to acquire an in-depth understanding of the 

information needed to come up with practical 

recommendations. Literature-based research is a careful 

analysis of academic publications to find the nexus between 

existing bodies of knowledge and research findings. This 

methodology helps the author plan the study so that 

information and data relating to this work are systematically 

gathered and thoroughly examined by the author to arrive at 

a reasonable conclusion. 

7. Discussion of findings 

From the foregoing, the findings of this study revealed 

that Nigeria has numerous potentials and resources that are 

related to the blue economy. Findings show that the 

government has indeed laid out some policies, though 

insufficient, that ought to guide the development of the blue 

economy in Nigeria. However, a substantial number of these 

policies are yet to be fully implemented and strategically 

executed to the letter, as they are more honored in the breach 

than the observance. Therefore, the Nigerian economy is still 

anchored on excessive reliance on oil money, and the 

government has failed to effectively and efficiently diversify 

the economy in order to fully harness the benefits of the blue 

economy. It was also revealed that the majority of the 

Nigerian population is ignorant of the concept of the blue 

economy, and there is a huge knowledge gap among the 

citizenry on the importance of the blue economy and the 

resources and the huge economic opportunities therein. 

Further findings show that the mass media have failed to 

carry out their developmental function by setting the agenda 

for public discourse in order to create the much-needed 

awareness and sensitization needed for the blue economy to 

thrive in Nigeria.  

8. Conclusion 

Without a doubt, the blue economy is a catalyst for 

socioeconomic and national development as it has the 

capacity to strengthen the economy of a country if effectively 

utilized. Its multiplier effect on the rapid development and 

expansion of other allied businesses is profound. Benefits that 

are inherent in a well-developed blue economy are too 

numerous. The mass media, as an agent for mass 

mobilization, ought to shoulder the responsibility of creating 

awareness about the blue economy, educating, informing, and 

sensitizing the public on the need to maintain a healthy 

ecosystem. For Nigeria to ensure that the dividends of the 

blue economy, as enjoyed by other developed countries, are 

replicated in the country, macroeconomic planners must look 

beyond oil money and encourage economic diversification. 

The government must ensure that policies and programs are 

implemented and adequately executed in the scheduled time. 

The government and the mass media must collaborate to 

ensure that the blue economy will thrive for the 

socioeconomic growth and development of the country. Most 

importantly, the government must tackle insecurity in the 

country alongside massive investment in infrastructure upon 

which the development of the blue economy will be hinged. 

 



EO. Asohro/Future Sustainability                                                                                         November 2024| Volume 02 | Issue 04 | Pages 01-07 

7 

 

Ethical issue 

The authors are aware of and comply with best practices in 
publication ethics, specifically with regard to authorship 
(avoidance of guest authorship), dual submission, 
manipulation of figures, competing interests, and compliance 
with policies on research ethics. The authors adhere to 
publication requirements that the submitted work is original 
and has not been published elsewhere. 

Data availability statement 
The manuscript contains all the data. However, more data will 

be available upon request from the author. 

Conflict of interest 

The authors declare no potential conflict of interest. 

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