Nigeria Intensifies effort to End Fish Importation, Unveils Drive for Aggressive Local Production

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The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON (left) receiving a presentation from the Acting President, Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (FCFN), Mr. Mashi Gabriel Sani, at an interactive session with fisheries cooperatives groups in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Nigerian government has sounded commitment to ensuring fish avail ability and ending fish importation into the country through effortlessly boosting local fish production.

In demonstration of this commitment, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, has vowed to end Nigeria’s dependence on fish importation by aggressively boosting local fish production.

Speaking on Wednesday at a high-level consultative meeting with fisheries cooperative groups in Abuja, the Minister outlined a bold vision aimed at transforming the nation’s aquaculture sector into a powerhouse of food security, employment, and export competitiveness.

A statement dated July 16, 2025 signed by Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, said that the minister in the meeting with the fisheries cooperative groups declared that “Nigeria must chart a new course towards self-sufficiency in fish pro- duction,” Oyetola emphasised that the Federal Government is fully committed to supporting the fisheries and aquaculture subsector through policy, technical support, and financial inclusion.

“We will scale up domestic fish production, reduce dependency on imports, and reposition the sector for sustainable growth,” he said.

The meeting, convened by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, brought together leaders and members of major fisheries and aquaculture 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.