By Kenneth Oboh

When Linda Amornghor-Oje Etta was a young marine science student, it barely occurred to her that her career would take her into the very heart of global ocean diplomacy. What she did know was that the sea spoke a language. The crashing waves, the tides, and the communities that depended on the water all communicated in ways that required careful attention and translation. That conviction carried her through her academic studies, her early training with mentors who opened doors, and eventually into her own role as a guide for a younger generation of African ocean professionals.

Now, Etta is recognised across Africa and beyond as a leading voice in maritime affairs, the blue economy, and ocean governance. Yet her story is as much about people as it is about policies. It is a story of seasoned experts who took the time to train her, and of her decision to pass on that gift to young professionals in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and other coastal and land-linked nations. In recounting her journey, Etta often frames her career not simply as a path of personal advancement but as a shared voyage of mentorship that continues to shape the future of ocean diplomacy on the continent.

Apprenticeship by the Sea

Etta’s professional journey began at the University of Calabar in Nigeria, where she studied Marine Science with a concentration in Fisheries and Aquaculture. In her early years, she was fascinated by the mechanics of ecosystems and the livelihoods they supported. But what she longed for was the connection between the science she studied and the decisions made in policy rooms. That bridge was built by mentors.

At the World Maritime University in Sweden, where she completed her master’s in Maritime Affairs, Linda was introduced to the world of negotiations, international regulations, and ocean governance. She recalls how professors and visiting experts encouraged her to think beyond fisheries management and to see the ocean as a stage for diplomacy, where environmental, economic, and security issues intersect. One of her mentors at the time, a retired ambassador, advised her that the most important skill she could cultivate was the ability to listen carefully. “The sea has many stakeholders,” he told her, “and your role will often be to make sure each one feels heard.”

That advice stayed with her. Later, during a leadership program under the Mandela Washington Fellowship in the United States, Etta deepened her exposure to negotiation and public management. She describes that fellowship as a crucible of ideas, where she was trained not only by academics but also by practitioners who had navigated the pressures of leadership. “Those months were like being handed a compass,” she says. “I learned that expertise matters, but people trust you more when you make the effort to guide rather than to dominate.”

Learning in Addis Ababa

Mentorship took on a new dimension when Linda joined the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa as Technical Assistant for Marine & Coastal Areas in 2017. At first, she worked in the field of Earth Observation data, helping governments use space-based technologies to manage fisheries, water resources, and coastal resilience. The role demanded scientific precision but also constant diplomacy with member states. She often relied on senior colleagues who coached her on how to strike a balance between technical detail and political realities.

One senior advisor at the AU, she recalls, taught her how to “read the room” when presenting a policy framework to ministers. “He told me to watch not just their words but their silences,” Etta explains. “That was how you knew when to adjust your language, or when to pause for translation into terms that spoke to their immediate needs.”

These lessons became invaluable when she later coordinated the implementation of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy. Suddenly, she was not only presenting ideas but helping governments, regional economic communities, and civil society groups to co-design policies that touched millions of lives. The complexity of the task could have been overwhelming, but Linda leaned on the patient guidance of colleagues who had shepherded similar continental strategies in the past. In return, she began to mentor younger staff, showing them how to translate technical documents into actionable roadmaps.

Building a Network of Ocean Professionals

By 2021, Etta was seconded as Blue Economy Coordinator at the AU. In that role, she saw firsthand how mentorship multiplies its impact. She began to design training programmes, especially for youth and women in maritime sectors, creating opportunities for them to enter conversations that were once closed.

Etta views mentorship as a form of diplomacy in itself. “Every time you mentor someone, you are negotiating a shared future,” she says. She has built this philosophy into her work, whether at international conferences or in one-on-one conversations with junior colleagues.

At the 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, she noticed a group of young African delegates struggling to engage in side events where seasoned negotiators dominated the floor. Instead of simply advising them, she invited them to join her delegation in bilateral meetings. Sitting next to senior officials, they were able to observe, ask questions afterward, and eventually contribute points themselves. Several of those young professionals have since moved into permanent government roles. One of them, a fisheries officer from Ghana, described the experience as “being handed a seat at the table, not just a set of notes.”

This approach reflects Linda’s broader commitment to what she calls “the human face of ocean policy.” For her, every legal framework and strategy document is ultimately about the fishermen, coastal women, traders, and young people whose lives depend on the health of the sea. By mentoring new professionals, she ensures that future leaders remember that connection.

Stories of Transformation

The ripple effects of Linda’s mentorship are visible across several countries.

In Nigeria, Etta mentored a group of women entrepreneurs in fisheries and small-scale marine enterprises. One of them, Halima Usman, recalls that Linda encouraged her to expand her business model from local fish sales to include value-added processing. By linking her with regional networks, Etta helped Halima secure funding that allowed her to employ ten other women. “She told me that the blue economy is not only about the sea but about people like us who live by its rhythm,” Halima says.

In Ethiopia, a country that is redefining its ocean identity through regional trade, Linda has guided young policymakers on integrating ocean issues into national climate planning. Through her mentorship, these professionals now represent their country at multilateral negotiations, ensuring that Ethiopia has a voice in decisions about marine biodiversity and resource management.

Becoming a Teacher of Diplomats

Etta often says that she sees herself as a “teacher of diplomats,” though not in the conventional classroom sense. Her lessons are imparted through shared experiences, field visits, and the quiet conversations after long meetings. She has taught young professionals how to manage tension during high-stakes negotiations, how to keep sight of long-term goals when budgets are tight, and how to maintain integrity in spaces where competing interests can be overwhelming.

Her current role as Senior Blue Economy Advisor at the African Union Commission amplifies this teaching function. She designs multi-country programs that require coordination among governments, development partners, and private sector actors. Rather than handling every detail herself, she deliberately includes junior staff in drafting processes and stakeholder meetings. “The best way to learn is by doing,” she insists, echoing the advice she once received from her mentors.

Legacy in Motion

Etta’s story is still unfolding. She continues to publish research on ocean governance, women’s inclusion in the blue economy, and sustainable coastal management. She sits on panels at global conferences, speaks to young leaders, and provides technical expertise to governments. Yet what excites her most is watching her mentees step into leadership roles.

At a recent ocean dialogue in India, she encountered several former mentees now representing their nations or institutions. Seeing them speak with confidence, she realised that the chain of mentorship is not linear but circular. “They were teaching others in the way I once taught them,” she reflects. “That is how the language of the sea continues to spread.”

Etta’s career is not just one of personal achievement. It is the story of how mentorship creates continuity in the often complex and shifting field of ocean diplomacy. Trained by mentors who helped her navigate the currents of international policy, she has become a mentor in her own right, guiding young professionals across Africa to find their voices and to claim their place in maritime governance.

In her words, “The ocean connects us all. To protect it, we must learn to connect with each other.” That conviction has shaped her journey and will continue to influence the next generation of African leaders who are learning, through her mentorship, to speak the language of the sea.