Oyetola Launches Fresh Push to Boost Nigeria’s Fish Production, Cut Dependence on Imports


 


By Abdulahi Musa 


The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated a Technical Committee on Accelerating Fish Production in Nigeria, with a mandate to develop practical measures to boost domestic production and reduce the country’s dependence on fish imports.


Oyetola inaugurated the committee in Abuja, charging its members to move beyond recommendations and produce a measurable implementation plan for the development of Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.


The minister said fish remained an important source of animal protein for millions of Nigerians while supporting livelihoods across production, processing, marketing and transportation.


However, he noted that domestic fish production remained below national demand, creating the need for urgent interventions to close the supply gap.


According to Oyetola, the committee would review recommendations from the 2025 NIPSS Strategic Roundtable on Accelerating Fish Production and develop a prioritised implementation roadmap aligned with existing government policies, laws and programmes.


He said the committee’s focus would include addressing major challenges affecting the sector, such as high feed costs, limited access to quality fish seed and broodstock, fish health concerns and post-harvest losses.


Other areas to be examined include cold-chain infrastructure, access to affordable finance, research, reliable sectoral data and market development.


Oyetola also directed the committee to identify opportunities for increased private-sector investment, public-private partnerships and development finance in the fisheries and aquaculture value chain.


He stressed the need to strengthen existing initiatives while avoiding duplication of government programmes.


The committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Fatima Sugra Mahmood, has been charged to approach the assignment with urgency, objectivity and a clear focus on delivering measurable results.


Oyetola said the Federal Government was committed to increasing sustainable domestic fish production, strengthening the fisheries and aquaculture value chain and creating employment opportunities.


He added that boosting local production would also contribute to food security and progressively reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fish.


The committee has eight weeks to submit its report and implementation roadmap to the ministry.

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