Nigeria, Sept. 28 -- Nigeria's budget deficits remain exceptionally high, partly driven by heavy debt servicing obligations. Like many sectors, the blue economy is facing a severe capital shortfall. It requires about $10 billion in investment over the next ten years to fully unlock its potential. The current federal budgetary allocation of 10.5 billion naira remains grossly inadequate to drive meaningful impact. The funding gap is huge, and public finance alone is no longer enough. This lack of investment has left the sector's opportunities underutilised for many years.

The prospects span shipping, fisheries and aquaculture, marine tourism, coastal infrastructure, renewable energy, and ocean research. The sector needs urgent patient capi...