Blue Economy
Oyetola Declares End To Fish Importation, Targets Boost In Local Production
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has declared that Nigeria must urgently shift from fish import dependence to self-sufficiency through massive support for local aquaculture.
Speaking during a high-level consultative meeting with fisheries cooperative groups in Abuja on Wednesday, Oyetola outlined a strategic plan to reposition the fisheries and aquaculture sector as a critical driver of food security, employment, and export earnings.
“Nigeria must chart a new course towards self-sufficiency in fish production,” he said, adding that the Federal Government is committed to providing policy, technical, and financial support to boost domestic output. “We will scale up domestic fish production, reduce dependency on imports, and reposition the sector for sustainable growth,” the minister stated.
The meeting brought together stakeholders from major associations including the 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, and the Practicing Farmers Association of Nigeria.
Oyetola noted that the Ministry is prioritising support for women and youth in the fishing industry, with start-up grants and empowerment initiatives already in the pipeline. He said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places a strong emphasis on youth engagement and economic diversification.
“Increasing youth participation in aquaculture is not only vital for food production but also a strategic solution to reducing unemployment,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring that young people and women are not left behind in this transformation.”
Stakeholders raised key concerns affecting the sector, such as overfishing, environmental degradation, inadequate access to finance, post-harvest losses, poor cold storage and transport infrastructure, low youth involvement, multiple taxation, and the high cost of imported fish feed.
In response, Oyetola assured that the Ministry is already engaging both local and international stakeholders to address the issues. He revealed ongoing talks with the World Bank to secure financial assistance for fish farmers and announced collaboration with the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) to provide accessible insurance coverage for the sector.
He also disclosed discussions with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to replicate successful aquaculture models, such as the one at Oyan Dam, across the country. According to him, inter-ministerial cooperation and integrated planning will be central to the sector’s revival.
“This meeting is not the end — it is the beginning of a sustained and transformative dialogue,” Oyetola said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olufemi Oloruntola, said the meeting was a follow-up to the Ministry’s second-quarter stakeholders’ engagement held in Lagos on July 3. He emphasised that the Ministry is committed to building lasting partnerships with cooperative groups to achieve inclusive growth.
Also speaking, the Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Wellington Omoragbon, underscored the need to strengthen institutional frameworks and promote enterprise-driven models to improve productivity and attract investment.
Participants described the engagement as timely and forward-looking, expressing optimism that the renewed momentum will drive Nigeria toward becoming self-sufficient in fish production and a future net exporter of fish.