From Idu Jude, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced its collaboration with key international organizations to address the growing gap in fish production, aiming to balance local consumption, diet, revenue generation, and agricultural value chains. The initiative targets the production of 1.3 metric tons of fish annually to meet domestic demand.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made this statement on Tuesday in Abuja during a two-day validation workshop on the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy of Nigeria. He highlighted the numerous challenges faced by the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector, including illegal fishing, overfishing, environmental degradation, and a lack of infrastructure and technological advancements.
“To effectively tackle these issues and fully harness the potential of Nigeria’s aquatic resources, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with WorldFish and IFPRI, has developed a comprehensive National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy,” Oyetola said.
He further emphasized Nigeria’s vast aquatic resources, noting the country is blessed with a coastline of 853 km and over 10,000 km of inland waterways. The creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy reflects a commitment to sustainably harness these resources in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, aimed at fostering socio-economic development and national prosperity.
The first stakeholder consultation for drafting the policy took place on August 22–23, 2023, providing valuable input on policy directions and strategies. Oyetola remarked, “Indeed, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy of Nigeria embodies a bold and ambitious vision for the future of our marine resources.”
The policy is designed to promote sustainable fisheries management, enhance sector productivity, and improve the livelihoods of fisherfolk and aquaculture farmers. “By promoting sustainable fisheries management, boosting aquaculture productivity, and empowering our fisherfolk and aquaculture farmers, we can secure a brighter and more prosperous future for our fisheries and aquaculture industries,” Oyetola added.
A cornerstone of the policy is the promotion of sustainable fishing practices, with the Ministry committed to implementing science-based fisheries management measures that ensure long-term fish stock health and aquaculture best practices. This includes enforcing catch limits, promoting seasonal fishing, protecting critical habitats, and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The policy also emphasizes enhancing aquaculture productivity and profitability through strategic investments in technology, infrastructure, and capacity building.
Oyetola stated, “Our goal is to position Nigeria as a key player in aquaculture production by advocating for the adoption of modern practices, improving access to financing and markets for aquaculture farmers, and fostering innovation in aquaculture research and development.”
To achieve these goals, the policy’s initial steps include strengthening the institutional framework for its implementation, ensuring adequate funding and resources for relevant agencies, and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders, including states and local governments.
Adetunji Fasoranti, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), shared insights into Nigeria’s shift toward agriculture as a strategic response to fluctuating oil revenues. He explained, “Nigeria’s economy has historically relied on crude oil, but recent market fluctuations and the need for diversification have led to a strategic shift toward agriculture, including fisheries and aquaculture, as complementary sectors. This approach leverages Nigeria’s agricultural potential to reduce import dependency, boost rural employment, and enhance food security.”
Fasoranti added, “At IFPRI, we are committed to developing inclusive and sustainable policies that address global food security, nutrition, poverty reduction, and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. We support governments and partners in evidence-based policy design and implementation. I am very pleased to see the attention to data and evidence in the review and drafting process of this national fisheries and aquaculture policy and the robust M&E framework and indicators being proposed in the policy document draft. This will allow for monitoring and evaluation of the policy’s implementation and impact.”
Mr. Sunil Siriwardena from WorldFish also weighed in, revealing that Nigeria currently faces a 75% shortfall in local fish production, emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap. He reassured, “WorldFish is committed to ensuring that Nigeria meets its food security goals.”