The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced a bold strategy to end Nigeria’s dependence on fish importation by significantly scaling up domestic production and empowering key players in the aquaculture sector.
Speaking at a high-level consultative meeting with fisheries cooperative groups in Abuja, Oyetola laid out a vision to transform Nigeria’s fisheries industry into a driver of food security, job creation, and export competitiveness.
“Nigeria must chart a new course towards self-sufficiency in fish production,” the minister declared. “We will scale up local production, reduce import dependency, and reposition the sector for sustainable growth.”
The forum brought together stakeholders from across the industry, including the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (FCFN), Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria (TADAN), Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN), Women in Fish Farming and Aquaculture, and the Practicing Farmers Association of Nigeria.
As part of efforts to support the sector, Oyetola revealed that the federal government would offer policy and technical support, improve access to finance, and introduce empowerment programmes particularly for women and youth. These efforts, he noted, align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive economic growth and job creation.
“Increasing youth participation in aquaculture is a strategic step not only for food security but also for tackling unemployment,” he added.
Participants raised several pressing challenges facing the sector, including overfishing, environmental degradation, post-harvest losses, poor infrastructure, multiple taxation, and the rising cost of imported fish feed.
In response, the minister assured attendees that the government is working with both local and international stakeholders to address these issues. He disclosed ongoing discussions with the World Bank for financial assistance and partnerships with the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) to provide affordable insurance for fish farmers.
Additionally, he said plans are underway with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to replicate the successful aquaculture model of the Oyan Dam in other regions, as part of an integrated, multi-agency strategy.
“This meeting marks the beginning of sustained dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders across the value chain,” Oyetola affirmed.
Also speaking, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola, described the meeting as a follow-up to promises made during the ministry’s second-quarter stakeholder engagement in Lagos earlier this month. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to building strategic partnerships with cooperatives to drive inclusive growth.
Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Wellington Omoragbon, emphasized the need for enterprise-driven models and stronger institutional frameworks to improve productivity and attract investment.
Participants lauded the initiative as timely, expressing hope that the consultative approach will translate into concrete action and position Nigeria as a future net exporter of fish.