(Insights from NIPSS SEC 47)  by Engr Ifeanyi Jude Ngama

In response to Nigeria’s urgent need for economic diversification, participants of the NIPSS Senior Executive Course 47 (SEC 47) examined the Blue Economy as a viable and underutilised pathway for inclusive growth and national development. Their research situates the maritime sector as a critical contributor to employment generation, trade expansion, and industrial growth.

The SEC 47 study identifies systemic economic constraints limiting Nigeria’s ability to maximise Blue Economy opportunities, including port inefficiencies, infrastructure deficits, limited access to finance, skills shortages, and policy inconsistencies. These challenges, the research notes, have prevented Nigeria from fully capturing value across fisheries, maritime transport, shipbuilding, coastal tourism, and marine services.

To address these gaps, SEC 47 recommends targeted investments, public–private partnerships, and human capital development, alongside regulatory reforms that encourage private sector participation. The research affirms that a structured and well-governed Blue Economy can significantly support Nigeria’s economic diversification goals while ensuring long-term sustainability.