The Federal Government has pledged to end Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on fish importation by significantly scaling up domestic fish production, in a renewed push to strengthen food security, create jobs, and boost non-oil exports.
Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, made this known on Wednesday at a consultative meeting with leaders of fisheries cooperative groups in Abuja.
The meeting, convened by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is part of ongoing efforts to reposition the country’s aquaculture and fisheries subsector.
“Nigeria must chart a new course towards self-sufficiency in fish production. We will scale up domestic fish production, reduce dependency on imports, and reposition the sector for sustainable growth,” he said.
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Oyetola stated, adding that the Government is fully committed to supporting the sector through policy innovation, technical support, and financial inclusion.
He emphasised that the Federal Government would aggressively scale up local fish production, reduce import dependency, and transform the sector into a key driver of sustainable economic growth.
The session brought together major stakeholders, 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 Practising Farmers Association of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Oyetola noted that the Ministry is intensifying efforts to support youths and women in aquaculture.
He stated that empowerment initiatives, including start-up grants, were being developed to boost participation and productivity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Increasing youth participation in aquaculture is not only vital for food production but also a strategic solution to reducing unemployment. We are committed to ensuring that young people and women are not left behind in this transformation,” he noted
Stakeholders at the meeting raised a wide range of challenges plaguing the sector, including overfishing, poor access to finance, inadequate cold storage, high cost of imported fish feed, weak transportation networks, multiple taxation, and low youth involvement.
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In response, Oyetola assured participants that the Ministry is actively engaging both local and international partners to address these issues.
He said that discussions are ongoing with the World Bank to secure funding support for fish farmers and with the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) to ensure accessible and affordable insurance coverage.
The Minister also noted plans to replicate the successful aquaculture model at the Oyan Dam across other regions in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, stressing the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration.
“This meeting is not the end, it is the beginning of a sustained and transformative dialogue,” he said.
Wellington Omoragbon, Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, also highlighted the need for strengthened institutional frameworks and enterprise-driven approaches to attract investment and improve productivity.
