THE BLUE ECONOMY AND THE SOUTHEAST GEOPOLITICAL ZONE: FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A FUNCTIONAL SEAPORT IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA
The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved standards of living, and job creation while preserving and protecting ocean ecosystems. Scholars argue that the Blue Economy framework has become increasingly relevant giving the deteriorating condition of terrestrial resources, alongside the growing demand for economic gains. In the case of Nigeria’s southeast geopolitical zone, it is contended that the establishment of a functional seaport is crucial for harnessing Blue Economy opportunities. The overall aim of this paper is to examine the Blue Economy within the context of the Southeast geopolitical zone. The specific objectives are: (1) to investigate the importance of the Blue Economy for the Southeast geopolitical zone, (2) to examine the feasibility of establishing a functional seaport in the region, and (3) to determine the potential benefits of the Blue Economy for regional development. This study is anchored in developmental state theory and regional development theory, which provide lenses to examine how infrastructural decisions shape economic outcomes and regional equity within Nigeria. A qualitative descriptive design, complemented with simple quantitative analysis, was employed. Findings confirmed that the absence of a seaport in the Southeast entrenches structural inequality in Nigeria’s maritime sector, reinforcing regional disparity. The study recommended capacity building, mainstreaming of Blue Economy strategies, and the adoption of Public–Private partnerships [PPP] for financing seaport infrastructure.
Keywords: Blue Economy, maritime sector, ecosystem, southeast Nigeria, functional seaport