By Charles Pemu 
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on social media, Dada Olusegun, has declared that the success of the administration’s ambitious “blue economy” vision aimed at achieving national growth, extensive job creation, and global competitiveness is contingent upon how effectively young Nigerians understand and identify with the policy.
Addressing journalists at a media parley in Abuja ahead of the Blue Economy Investment Summit scheduled for Lagos in March 2026, Olusegun stressed that in the digital age, effective governance requires strong public engagement, noting that policies cannot flourish if citizens, particularly the youth, feel disconnected from them.
“The President’s vision for the blue economy is about growth, jobs and global competitiveness, but that vision will only grow if Nigerians, especially young Nigerians, understand it and see themselves in it,” he stated.
Bridging Policy and Public Understanding
Olusegun described the blue economy as one of Nigeria’s most exciting and untapped opportunities, but lamented that previous weak communication efforts had widened the gap between policy formulation and public understanding. He argued that the technical nature of the term causes many Nigerians to “hear the term and tune out,” perceiving it as distant from their daily realities.
The presidential aide explained that the Tinubu administration is deliberately shifting its communication strategy, leveraging digital platforms to engage young Nigerians, who constitute over 70 per cent of the population. He maintained that youth are not averse to information, but to content that is dull or overly technical.
He advised communicators to prioritise engaging content, saying, “Young people do not hate information; they hate boring information. Instead of big grammar, show a short video of how goods move faster at the ports or a young Nigerian explaining logistics in 30 seconds.”
Olusegun called for the media and the digital community to be recognised as critical partners in driving this process, asserting, “We are not spectators in this journey; we are partners. Together, we can make the new economy something Nigerians don’t just hear about, but believe in and actively participate in.”
The administration, he disclosed, is committed to disciplined economic management and open to correcting policy missteps. President Tinubu holds weekly briefings with his media team to review public feedback, ensuring that “valid complaints are escalated to the President, and policies are reviewed where necessary,” Olusegun stated.
He further called for greater collaboration with content creators and influencers, urging that they be seen as partners in governance, capable of explaining policies in relatable and indigenous languages to grassroots audiences. This, he noted, is about “participation,” not propaganda.
The Minister also urged stakeholders to demystify the vast, largely unknown career opportunities within the maritime sector, arguing that properly showcasing the sector could significantly contribute to reducing youth unemployment.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Maritime Innovations Hub, Princess Ronke Kosoko, explained that her organisation is positioning itself as a platform for maritime innovation, policy advocacy, education, and youth empowerment to drive national economic development.