FG to ban fish importation, boost local aquaculture

The Federal Government has announced plans to phase out fish importation in Nigeria by ramping up local fish production and supporting youth and women through targeted empowerment programmes in the fisheries sector.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja during a consultative meeting with Fisheries Cooperative Groups.

He emphasized the government’s determination to transform the aquaculture sector into a key driver of food security, employment, and export revenue.

“Nigeria must begin a journey towards fish production self-sufficiency,” Oyetola stated.

“We are committed to scaling up domestic output, cutting reliance on imports, and building a sustainable and competitive fisheries industry.”

According to him, the administration is already implementing policies and partnering with stakeholders to boost capacity in the sector.

He stressed that youth empowerment and greater involvement in aquaculture are critical for reducing unemployment and increasing food production.

Oyetola also revealed that the ministry is in discussions with the World Bank to secure funding for fish farmers and is collaborating with the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) to provide affordable insurance for stakeholders.

Additionally, efforts are underway with the Ministry of Water Resources to replicate the successful aquaculture model developed at the Oyan Dam across other regions.

“This engagement is just the beginning. We will continue to work with partners to tackle the challenges in the sector through inter-ministerial coordination and integrated planning,” he added.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola, reiterated its readiness to partner with cooperative societies to drive inclusive growth in the fisheries sector.

Meanwhile, Mashi Sani, President of the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (FCFN), presented a proposal for a Sustainable Livelihoods and Fish Food Security Initiative (SLESI).

The proposed three-year, N75 billion programme aims to create one million sustainable jobs, reduce post-harvest losses by 50%, and increase national fish production by 35%.

Sani highlighted the sector’s critical role in food security, income generation, and nutrition, particularly in rural communities.

He, however, pointed out persistent challenges such as overfishing, poor infrastructure, limited access to financing, and weak extension services.

He urged the ministry to adopt and fund the SLESI initiative in collaboration with the FCFN, stressing that urgent attention must be given to issues like transportation bottlenecks, market linkages, and inadequate technical support to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.