Nigeria’s Blue Economy, valued at over $296 billion, holds significant untapped potential for investment, job creation, and wealth generation. To showcase this vast potential, the African Maritime Arts Exhibition (AMAE) is set to return for its third edition in Lagos, bringing global attention to the country’s maritime opportunities through the lens of art.
The exhibition, scheduled to begin on Friday, November 22nd, at the Naval Dockyard in Lagos, will be led by Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, alongside key industry stakeholders. The event aims to promote the Blue Economy by telling compelling maritime stories through diverse art forms.
Ezinne Azunna, Programme Director and Lead Curator of AMAE, highlighted that the exhibition covers various aspects of the maritime sector, including ports, jetties, ships, coastal communities, marine life, and environmental issues like sea piracy, climate change, and marine plastics. The exhibition will also feature the Nigerian Navy’s historical assets, maritime safety conventions, and more.
“This exhibition provides a platform for different areas of maritime, from seafaring to marine science, through the medium of art, to raise awareness and drive policy discussions,” Azunna explained.
AMAE’s 2023 theme, “History & Trends: Seascapes from Nigeria’s Blue Economy,” will explore the evolving maritime landscape through creative works. The exhibition will also include public presentations of maritime short stories developed by children as part of the Maritime Writes Project, a complementary initiative designed to engage the younger generation with maritime issues.
Curated by the National Gallery of Art, AMAE will feature a variety of activities, including private viewings for VIP guests, live painting sessions, and special exhibitions for schools. This year’s event will also highlight Blue Economy initiatives through art for children and educational institutions.
In previous editions, AMAE has successfully used different art forms—painting, sculpture, digital photography, textile prints—to tell the African maritime story and promote the Blue Economy. Organized by Hazi’s Art, an arm of Maritime TV Africa, the exhibition aims to steer public interest toward sustainable practices and innovations within the Blue Economy, further positioning Nigeria as a leader in the sector across Africa.
By drawing attention to the economic, environmental, and cultural importance of the maritime industry, AMAE seeks to foster deeper engagement with the Blue Economy, making it a key player in Nigeria’s economic future.