The Impact of the Blue Economy on Economic Development in Lagos State, Nigeria

The blue economy, which involves the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources for economic growth and environmental sustainability, has increasingly gained global recognition as a strategic pathway for economic development in coastal regions. Lagos State, Nigeria, with its extensive coastline and maritime resources, possesses significant potential for the development of blue economy sectors such as fisheries, maritime transport, and coastal tourism. However, these opportunities remain largely underutilized. This study investigates the impact of the blue economy on economic development in Lagos State. A descriptive correlational research design was adopted, and data were collected from 100 respondents through structured questionnaires. The Chi-Square Test of Independence was employed to examine the relationship between blue economy activities and economic outcomes such as job creation, income generation, and sustainable development. The findings reveal that the blue economy significantly contributes to employment opportunities and income generation in Lagos State, with fisheries and marine tourism emerging as key drivers. Nevertheless, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, weak policy implementation, and environmental degradation limit the full realization of these benefits. The study therefore recommends increased government investment in maritime infrastructure, strengthened environmental management policies, and strategic promotion of coastal tourism and fisheries to enhance the contribution of the blue economy to sustainable economic development in Lagos State.