Blue Economy Television, a platform established to promote Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sector, has been officially launched in Lagos.

A statement issued on Monday described the initiative as a landmark in specialised broadcasting, noting that it is the first of its kind in Africa.

The channel will focus on marine resources, policy conversations, shipping, coastal tourism, and other sustainable ocean-driven industries.

The unveiling ceremony, held on Monday, attracted prominent maritime stakeholders, government representatives, and industry experts.

The project was conceived by the Blue Economy Academy.

Speaking at the ceremony, the General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority and Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, Emmanuel Oluwadamilola, emphasised the strategic value of Lagos’ maritime assets.

He noted that the state’s vast coastline and inland waterways serve as a critical trade and economic corridor.

“With over 180 kilometres of coastline and over 140 kilometres of inland waterways moving through our communities, we have a maritime corridor that supports over 70 per cent of international trade. Yet, for years, we have only just awakened to the true value of our waters and maritime space. Today marks a significant shift,” Oluwadamilola said.

Oluwadamilola described the unveiling of BETV as a bold step towards reshaping public perception of the maritime industry and unlocking the vast opportunities within the blue economy.

He stated that the platform will highlight key sectors including fisheries, aquaculture, water transportation, tourism, sports, and marine services, while also driving discussions on environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

“The launch of Blue Economy TV is not just the unveiling of a platform but the awakening of a consciousness, a realisation that our waters are not barriers but bridges, not limits but lifelines, not just scenery but strategy. Within these waters lie jobs for our youth, food security, mobility solutions, investment opportunities, and pathways to environmental sustainability,” he added.

Earlier, the Founder of the Blue Economy Academy, Ubong Essien, said the creation of BETV was inspired by the need to raise awareness and harness Nigeria’s immense marine potential through media and knowledge-sharing.

He explained that the initiative emerged from the academy, which is nearing its second anniversary, and is guided by a mission to spotlight opportunities Nigeria is poised to fully explore and develop.

“We have the Blue Economy Academy, an institution designed with the mission to see a Nigeria that prospers by water. That is our mission. That is what drives us. We can’t have so much prosperity from Badagry to Bakassi and not make the most of it,” he said.

Essien explained that the academy was set up to deliver practical, industry-focused knowledge across key areas of the blue economy, stressing that its approach is rooted in “knowledge you can use” rather than purely academic instruction.

“So when you come to the Blue Economy Academy, you are learning with a view to implementing immediately. All of the knowledge we bring is essential to enable you to act immediately and actualise that vision,” he stated.