Nigeria sets course for aquaculture growth with new fisheries policy

NIGERIA – Nigeria has taken a bold step to strengthen its fisheries and aquaculture sector through a collaborative effort with WorldFish and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 

A two-day Validation Workshop on Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy in Abuja in November 2024 brought together policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders to chart a sustainable path for the sector’s growth.  

The workshop served as a platform to address key challenges and opportunities in the sector. 

Nigeria’s aquaculture industry, pivotal to food security and economic diversification, has been hampered by inadequate infrastructure, limited access to quality inputs, and financial constraints. 

The event focused on solutions to these challenges, emphasising modern practices, enhanced financing, and robust research and development initiatives.  

Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming fisheries and aquaculture into a leading agricultural value chain. 

He highlighted the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy 2025–2029 as a cornerstone of this vision, aiming to close the fish supply-demand gap, promote sustainability, and drive inclusivity.  

Ambitious goals for the future  

The draft policy outlines ambitious targets for the next five years, including increasing aquaculture production to 1.3 million metric tons, boosting artisanal and industrial fisheries output, halving postharvest losses, and enhancing fish consumption nationwide. 

With these goals, the policy aims to create jobs, empower small-scale fishers, and encourage climate-resilient practices.  

Dr Sunil Siriwardena, Country Representative for WorldFish-Nigeria, emphasised the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s growing fish supply gap. 

“Nigeria’s per capita fish consumption is just 11.2 kilograms, and with population growth projected to reach 263 million by 2030, the country needs an additional 752,000 metric tons of fish to maintain current consumption levels,” he said. 

Dr Siriwardena also highlighted the uneven distribution of fish across regions, calling for improved cold supply chains to enhance accessibility in northern states.  

The proposed policy includes a balanced allocation of resources to ensure long-term impact.

Thirty percent of the budget will focus on infrastructure, such as cold storage facilities, landing sites, and transport systems, while another 30% will go toward research and innovation, with an emphasis on disease control, feed formulation, and stock management.  

Capacity building will receive 20% of funding, targeting training programs and scholarships, while regulatory measures and market development will account for 11% and 8%, respectively. 

Financial support initiatives, including credit access and subsidies, are also in the pipeline to encourage private-sector investment.  

Adetunji Fasoranti, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at IFPRI, underlined the sector’s potential for economic diversification. 

“Fisheries and aquaculture can create jobs, enhance food security, and reduce poverty, offering Nigeria a viable alternative to oil dependency,” Fasoranti said.  

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