The Federal Government has announced bold new measures to eliminate Nigeria’s dependence on fish imports by significantly boosting local production capacity through comprehensive reforms in the nation’s aquaculture and fisheries sector.
The announcement was made by Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, during a high-level stakeholder meeting with representatives from major fisheries cooperative groups held on Thursday in Abuja.
Addressing the gathering, Oyetola described Nigeria’s current heavy reliance on imported fish as unsustainable and called for urgent action to reverse the trend through strategic investments and targeted policy interventions. “Nigeria must chart a new course towards self-sufficiency in fish production,” the Minister emphasized.
The strategic meeting brought together leaders from prominent industry organizations including the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria, Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria, Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria, Women in Fish Farming and Aquaculture, and the Practising Farmers Association of Nigeria.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola outlined the Tinubu administration’s vision to transform the marine and blue economy sector into a cornerstone of national food security, employment generation, and export revenue. “We will scale up domestic fish production, reduce dependency on imports, and reposition the sector for sustainable growth,” he assured stakeholders.
The Minister detailed government plans to provide comprehensive support to fish farmers and cooperatives nationwide, including policy framework enhancements, technical training programs, and expanded financial assistance schemes.
In a significant focus on inclusivity, Oyetola announced special initiatives targeting women and youth participation in the aquaculture value chain, featuring access to start-up grants and capacity building programs. “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 stated.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, revealed that Thursday’s engagement was a direct continuation of discussions initiated during the second-quarter Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement Forum held in Lagos on July 3.
Oloruntola reinforced the Ministry’s commitment to establishing robust partnerships with grassroots cooperative societies to ensure broad-based participation in the sector’s development. “We are ready to build lasting partnerships with cooperative societies across the country to ensure no one is left behind as we grow this vital subsector,” he declared.
