Photo: Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola
By Deborah Nnamdi
The Federal Government has announced a bold plan to phase out fish importation by significantly increasing local fish production through the aquaculture sector. The move aims to create jobs, enhance food security, and empower women and youth across Nigeria.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed the plan during a consultative meeting with Fisheries Cooperative Groups on Wednesday in Abuja.
He outlined the government’s strategy to reposition aquaculture as a key driver of food self-sufficiency, employment, and export competitiveness.
“The Federal Government is fully committed to supporting the fisheries and aquaculture subsector through policy reforms, technical support, and inclusive financing,” Oyetola stated.
Oyetola emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to reduce its dependence on imported fish by scaling up domestic production. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to revitalizing the sector through targeted support and strategic partnerships.
Highlighting the importance of inclusive growth, Oyetola stressed that engaging young Nigerians and women in aquaculture is vital for reducing unemployment and boosting food production. He revealed that various empowerment initiatives and start-up grant programs are already underway.
The minister also revealed ongoing discussions with the World Bank to secure funding for fish farmers and announced plans to collaborate with the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) to provide affordable insurance coverage.
In addition, he said the government is partnering with the Ministry of Water Resources to replicate the successful Oyan Dam aquaculture model across other regions.
“This meeting marks the beginning of a sustained dialogue. Integrated planning and inter-ministerial cooperation are central to our strategy,” he said.
Earlier, Mr. Mashi Sani, President of the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (FCFN), proposed the launch of a Sustainable Livelihoods and Fish Food Security Initiative (SLESI). The three-year initiative, with a proposed budget of ₦75 billion, aims to create one million jobs, reduce post-harvest losses by 50%, and boost fish production by 35%.
Sani emphasized the sector’s crucial role in national food security and rural livelihoods but warned that challenges such as overfishing, poor infrastructure, and limited access to finance persist.
He urged the ministry to adopt and fund the SLESI in partnership with the FCFN to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Sani also called for urgent government intervention to address critical issues, including inadequate transportation, weak market linkages, and insufficient technical support.
Both leaders agreed that sustainable aquaculture holds the key to transforming Nigeria’s blue economy and achieving long-term food and economic security.
