Nigeria pushes for leading fish exporter status

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced Nigeria’s plans to emerge as a leading exporter of fish as part of its strategic blue economy initiative. This information was shared in a statement on Wednesday by Muhammad Zakari, the Head of Press for the ministry.

Speaking at the 39th Annual National Conference and General Meeting of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria, Oyetola, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a significant exporter of fish products while also aiming for self-sufficiency.

“The establishment of this ministry signals a new chapter for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Aligned with the President’s vision, we are dedicated to achieving self-sufficiency in fish production and positioning Nigeria as a prominent exporter of fish and related products,” he stated.

Oyetola pointed out that the theme of this year’s conference, “Unlocking the Investment Potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy: Advancing the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector for Sustainable Development,” resonates with the President’s ambition to enhance the nation’s economic opportunities.

“The theme is particularly relevant, reflecting the President’s vision for sustainable economic diversification, which led to the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The recent transfer of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to this ministry will enable direct oversight of all fisheries-related activities,” he added.

The Minister further elaborated on the ministry’s initiatives aimed at managing fisheries, boosting investments in the sector, improving post-harvest infrastructure, promoting innovation, leveraging technology, and fostering collaborations among stakeholders.

Oyetola underscored the importance of maximizing Nigeria’s marine resources, highlighting the sector’s potential to increase food production, create job opportunities, and stimulate economic growth.

“Fisheries and aquaculture are pivotal to our broader vision for the Blue Economy. Our strategic focus is to sustainably enhance fish production by fully utilizing our marine resources. This sector can unlock long-term benefits, elevate food production, generate employment, and support sustainable development in our coastal and inland waters, ensuring prosperity and security for future generations,” he said.

Since the department’s integration into the ministry nine months ago, Oyetola noted that considerable progress has been made, including boosting local feed production and reducing imports, engaging stakeholders to assess growth needs, enhancing public-private partnerships to attract investment, learning from best practices in countries like Morocco, and collaborating with international organizations such as the FAO.

Additionally, Nigeria has been re-certified to export shrimp to markets in the United States, the European Union, and other global destinations, achieving a notable 100 percent certification score for the Turtle Excluder Device.