Nigeria Pledges to End Fish Importation Dependence Through Domestic Production Boost

Strategic Insights -

Nigeria, in an effort to strengthen food security, create jobs, and boost non-oil exports, has vowed to significantly scale up its domestic fish production to reduce its long-standing dependence on fish imports. At a consultative meeting with fisheries cooperative groups, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, emphasized the need for the country to chart a new course towards self-sufficiency in fish production. The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is actively supporting the sector through policy innovation, technical support, and financial inclusion. The meeting aimed to reposition the country's aquaculture and fisheries subsector, attracting major stakeholders, including the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (FCFN), Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria (TADAN), and the Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN).

Key Takeaways:

  • The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to end its dependence on fish imports by scaling up domestic fish production.
  • Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, emphasized the need for Nigeria to chart a new course towards self-sufficiency in fish production.
  • The Ministry is committed to supporting the sector through policy innovation, technical support, and financial inclusion.
  • Empowerment initiatives, including start-up grants, are being developed to boost participation and productivity of youths and women in aquaculture.
  • Key challenges in the sector include overfishing, poor access to finance, inadequate cold storage, high cost of imported fish feed, weak transportation networks, multiple taxation, and low youth involvement.
  • 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.
  • Plans are in place to replicate the successful aquaculture model at the Oyan Dam across other regions with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

Statistics:

  • Nigeria vows to significantly scale up its domestic fish production to reduce dependence on fish imports.
  • The country has been heavily reliant on fish imports, with various initiatives aimed at promoting domestic production and reducing imports.
  • In response to challenges in the sector, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is engaging local and international partners to address issues such as overfishing and poor access to finance.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy
  • Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister
  • 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
  • Practising Farmers Association of Nigeria
  • World Bank
  • Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC)