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From Idu Jude, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is poised for an increased local fish production from 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2025 to 2 million metric tonnes next year.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made the revelation on Wednesday in Abuja during a Q4 stakeholder engagement on the Marine and Blue Economy ministry and agencies.
The minister said local fish production has risen from 1.1 million to 1.4 million metric tonnes this year, reflecting efforts to boost domestic output, reduce imports, and enhance food security.
According to Oyetola, the growth recorded in the fisheries and aquaculture subsector reflects targeted interventions by the Federal Government aimed at strengthening local capacity, improving coordination, deploying appropriate technologies, and enhancing sectoral planning.
“In the area of fisheries and aquaculture, we are working deliberately and with unique agency to boost local fish production, reduce our dependence on imports, and strengthen food security.
“I’m pleased to report that local fish production has increased from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes so far this year,” he stated.
He acknowledged that while the current production level remains below Nigeria’s annual consumption estimate of 3.6 million metric tonnes, the progress achieved demonstrates growing momentum in the sector and a clear pathway toward self-sufficiency.
To further accelerate growth, the minister revealed that the ministry has commenced engagements with relevant financial institutions to provide single-digit interest loans to fish farmers nationwide.
The initiative, he explained, is designed to improve access to affordable finance, empower artisanal and industrial operators, boost productivity, and support efforts to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in Nigerian waters.
Oyetola reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning fisheries and aquaculture as key drivers of economic diversification, job creation, and food security under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
For his part, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Pius Akutah, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to positioning Nigeria’s marine and blue economy for increased investment, innovation, and expansion, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Akutah, however, described the engagement meeting as evidence of the consistency of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and his team in implementing the President’s directives and advancing sector-wide reforms.
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According to him, the meeting’s theme – Positioning Nigerian Marine and Blue Economy for Investment, Innovation and Expansion – reflects the administration’s determination to move the sector to the next level following the adoption of key policies.
He highlighted the participation of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) at the meeting as a strategic move to deepen public-private partnerships (PPP) in the sector, noting that such collaborations are critical to attracting investment and accelerating growth.
Akutah noted that as the year draws to a close, stakeholders are renewing efforts to strengthen the marine and blue economy as a viable alternative to Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on oil revenues.
He referenced encouraging performance indicators shared by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), as well as Nigeria’s readmission into the global maritime community, as signs of renewed confidence in the sector.
He added that the developments demonstrate the Minister’s preparedness for even greater achievements in the coming year.
Commending stakeholders for their commitment throughout the year, Akutah stated that the leadership of the Ministry has also spurred innovation within the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, which he said would further enhance the Council’s effectiveness and contribute to the overall success of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has said that President Tinubu’s economic policies drive port boom as NPA cargo throughput hits 33.5 million tonnes.
He said import-laden containers rose by 33.1% to 268,713 TEUs from 201,839 TEUs in Q3 2024, while ship calls climbed 8.4% to 1,074 vessels from 991 ships in Q3 2024.
Container traffic grew 18.9% to 546,931 TEUs, as gross registered tonnage jumped 18% to 42.64 million tonnes.
“Lekki Port emerges as the dominant growth driver with 46.8% of total cargo throughput.”
He further revealed that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has posted one of its strongest quarterly performances in recent years, recording a dramatic 1,085 per cent surge in export-laden containers as total cargo throughput rose to 33.52 million metric tonnes in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025.
