The need for a communication strategy, By Yushau A. Shuaib

The NIPR may also help reposition the blue financial system as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sustainable growth agenda by championing these communication initiatives. These efforts might elevate Nigeria’s profile as a regional chief in maritime coverage, innovation, and environmental sustainability, if well-executed.

When the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) launched “Marine and Blue Financial system” as a brand new class in its annual Nationwide Spokespersons Awards (NSAwards), few anticipated the overwhelming response it will entice. But, the class garnered extra entries than some other, reflecting the rising curiosity and competitors amongst main gamers within the maritime sector.

The NSAwards, instituted by Picture Retailers Promotion Restricted — publishers of PRNigeria and Financial Confidential — in partnership with the NIPR, celebrates distinctive communicators and spokespersons throughout various fields. Held throughout the Nationwide Spokespersons Summit, the awards occasion is a platform for data change, skilled recognition, and elevating communication requirements in Nigeria.

My curiosity in regards to the blue financial system was first piqued when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu created the Ministry of Marine and Blue Financial system in 2023, appointing former Osun State governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, as its pioneer minister. Like many Nigerians, I initially questioned the relevance of a ministry with a seemingly imprecise and unfamiliar mandate. That notion modified when the minister’s spokesperson, Mr Ismail Omipidan, reached out to the editorial board of Financial Confidential for advocacy assist in elevating consciousness in regards to the new ministry’s goals and potential.

The ‘blue’ in “blue financial system” refers back to the oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and different freshwater our bodies that seem blue because of how water displays and absorbs mild. Simply as “inexperienced financial system” promotes sustainability on land via eco-friendly practices in agriculture and forestry, “blue financial system” centres on water-based financial actions anchored on environmental stewardship and long-term useful resource regeneration.

Belgian economist, Gunter Pauli, popularised the fashionable idea of the blue financial system in his 2010 e book, The Blue Financial system: 10 Years, 100 Improvements, 100 Million Jobs. Pauli launched a regenerative financial mannequin impressed by pure ecosystems, during which outputs from one trade turn into inputs into one other. His imaginative and prescient emphasised zero waste, innovation, and job creation in ocean-based sectors.

Earlier than Pauli’s articulation, comparable concepts existed underneath phrases like “marine financial system” or “ocean financial system.” Nevertheless, after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, sustainability in ocean governance gained formal consideration, even when the time period “blue financial system” had not but entered the mainstream.

In its most simple definition, the blue financial system entails the sustainable use of oceanic and aquatic sources to drive financial development, enhance livelihoods, and protect marine ecosystems for future generations. Whereas public consciousness stays restricted, a rising physique of literature and knowledgeable evaluation affirms that Nigeria stands to learn immensely from this mannequin.

In acknowledging the sector’s potential, President Tinubu has tasked one in every of Nigeria’s main coverage establishments with growing a nationwide technique for the Blue Financial system. As a proud member of the NIPR (mnipr), I noticed that in contrast to the finance and oil and gasoline sectors, communication professionals are but to completely embrace or amplify the blue financial system narrative in Nigeria.

In its most simple definition, the blue financial system entails the sustainable use of oceanic and aquatic sources to drive financial development, enhance livelihoods, and protect marine ecosystems for future generations. Whereas public consciousness stays restricted, a rising physique of literature and knowledgeable evaluation affirms that Nigeria stands to learn immensely from this mannequin.

Its expansive scope consists of fisheries, maritime transport, offshore oil and gasoline, marine biotechnology, coastal tourism, and renewable ocean vitality. But, Nigeria’s present efficiency throughout these sectors stays under-documented, underscoring the necessity for structured communication and coverage readability.

Globally, a number of international locations supply compelling fashions. Norway leads in aquaculture innovation. Kenya exemplifies sturdy inter-agency coordination. Seychelles excels in conservation financing. Mauritius and India have adopted good port applied sciences, whereas Senegal demonstrates finest practices within the governance of grassroots fisheries. Domestically, the Lekki Deep Sea Port stands out as a promising infrastructure that aligns with blue financial system aspirations.

Regardless of these prospects, the sector faces vital challenges: overfishing, insufficient funding, maritime insecurity, institutional overlap, and weak coverage enforcement. These points demand a nationwide communication technique that may bridge data gaps, entice funding, and mobilise private and non-private participation.

Businesses underneath the Ministry — such because the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Security Company (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nationwide Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council — should activate their public relations departments for proactive, sustained campaigns that spotlight their mandates, affect, and strategic relevance. As well as, crucial stakeholders, together with the Nigerian Navy and worldwide companions, ought to assist outreach efforts that generate grassroots buy-in and foster coverage belief.

That is the place the NIPR can play a pivotal function. As Nigeria’s statutory physique for public relations, the Institute is well-positioned to steer strategic communication efforts via public enlightenment, stakeholder engagement, skilled capacity-building, and worldwide collaboration.

The success of Nigeria’s blue financial system will rely not solely on sound coverage, data-driven planning, and infrastructure funding, but in addition on strong public communication. With out efficient messaging, even essentially the most progressive frameworks threat being misunderstood or underutilised.

That is the place the NIPR can play a pivotal function. As Nigeria’s statutory physique for public relations, the Institute is well-positioned to steer strategic communication efforts via public enlightenment, stakeholder engagement, skilled capacity-building, and worldwide collaboration.

Multilingual consciousness campaigns can demystify the blue financial system and educate residents — particularly in coastal communities — on its advantages. Coverage advocacy could be amplified via partnerships with authorities establishments and the non-public sector, whereas city halls and group dialogues can improve native possession and participation.

Media coaching, publicity visits, and the promotion of success tales in marine tourism, aquaculture, and renewable vitality will encourage confidence and entice buyers and growth companions.

The NIPR may also help reposition the blue financial system as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sustainable growth agenda by championing these communication initiatives. These efforts might elevate Nigeria’s profile as a regional chief in maritime coverage, innovation, and environmental sustainability, if well-executed.

Yushau A. Shuaib is the creator of “Award-Profitable Disaster Communication Methods” and “A Dozen Suggestions for Media Relations.” He could be reached through: [email protected]