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NPA LAUNCHES ‘PAINT YOUR COAST’ TO CONNECT COASTAL YOUTHS TO BLUE ECONOMY OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH ART
By prince Benson Davies
The Nigerian Ports Authority has unveiled a community-based programme designed to introduce children and young people in coastal areas to the economic possibilities of the maritime sector through visual arts. The initiative seeks to build ocean awareness from an early age, while positioning creativity as a practical route to education, enterprise, and livelihoods within the Blue Economy.
The maiden edition of “Paint Your Coast” was flagged off at Akodo-Ise in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, by the Lekki Port Manager of NPA, Mr. Anda Emmanuel. The programme is being implemented by the African Maritime Art Exhibition in partnership with the National Gallery of Art, with a focus on ocean literacy, environmental responsibility, and maritime enterprise awareness among coastal residents.
According to Mr. Emmanuel, coastal settlements hold significant but largely unexplored potential, and the approach being used by AMAE is helping to bridge that gap. By introducing maritime themes through art, he said, the programme is raising awareness of the ocean economy while helping young people connect more closely with their coastal environment.
He added that art must be positioned beyond recreation and treated as a tool for empowerment and enterprise. “Our coastal communities are key contributors to the Blue Economy. I urge you to see art not as a limit, but as a window and a route into the maritime industry. Through marine art, you will gain deeper insight into the sector, identify the opportunities it offers, and learn how to harness them for better livelihoods,” he stated.
To encourage participation, the Lekki Port Manager, together with his team, presented cash prizes to participants whose works stood out for creativity and originality.
Speaking at the event, the Convener of the African Maritime Art Exhibition, Ezinne Azunna, said the programme was created to expand the perspective of children and youths along Nigeria’s coast beyond conventional occupations.
She explained that after the initial training, participants were given art materials to develop their works over a month. At the end of the period, schools will forward submissions for assessment by an independent panel of judges. The 10 best entries will be featured at the AMAE 2026 exhibition scheduled for later this year. Azunna further encouraged the youths to take drawing, painting and other forms of artistic expression seriously, noting that such skills can lead to educational advancement, employment, and business opportunities within the Blue Economy.
Representing the Director-General of the National Gallery of Art, Mr. Ahmed Sodangi, the Zonal Coordinator West, Mr. Oladipo Babalola, described AMAE as a valuable collaborator. He expressed optimism that the initiative would leave a lasting impression on coastal communities through creative education. He said children in shoreline areas have distinct advantages because of their environment, and initiatives like Paint Your Coast enable them to convert those advantages into meaningful opportunities.
Also addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the occasion and Director of the International Ocean Institute Nigeria, Dr. Akanbi Williams, commended the programme for using creativity to strengthen environmental awareness among young people in coastal areas.
He noted that the initiative gives pupils and students a platform to engage with their maritime heritage, take responsibility for their environment, and express community identity through art. In his view, art is one of the most effective mediums for narrating the story of the sea, showcasing coastal livelihoods, and motivating future generations to preserve fragile marine ecosystems.
Dr. Williams also highlighted the importance of partnerships in driving the initiative’s goals. He acknowledged the ongoing collaboration between the International Ocean Institute Nigeria Centre, the African Maritime Art Exhibition, and the Eco Restoration Mangrove Sanctuary and Research Centre.
According to him, the joint effort has been instrumental in advancing ocean literacy, promoting coastal conservation, and strengthening environmental education and community engagement across shoreline areas. He said the alliance reflects a shared commitment to building knowledge, protecting marine resources, and ensuring that coastal communities remain active participants in Nigeria’s Blue Economy journey.
The NPA stated that “Paint Your Coast” will be sustained as part of its broader outreach to coastal communities, with the aim of deepening public understanding of the Blue Economy and encouraging youth participation in maritime value chains.
