L-R: Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Wellington Omoragbon; Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Prof. Abiodun Sule; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON; Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Prof. Ayo Omotayo and Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, at the opening of a two-day Roundtable Discussion on Accelerating National Fish Production in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday.
The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to fast-track national fish production and close Nigeria’s estimated 2.2 million metric tonne fish supply gap through a coordinated policy framework.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day Roundtable Discussion on Accelerating National Fish Production held in Lagos, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, said the collaboration marks a crucial step toward realizing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes food security, job creation, and economic diversification.
Dr. Oyetola noted that Nigeria currently meets only 38.9 per cent of its 3.6 million metric tonne annual fish demand, leaving a deficit of over 2.2 million metric tonnes.
“This situation is unsustainable — economically, nutritionally, and environmentally,” he said.
He explained that the roundtable aims to develop a National Fish Production Acceleration Roadmap, designed to guide strategic investments, strengthen governance, and promote sustainability in the fisheries and aquaculture subsector.
According to the Minister, new policy and legal frameworks — including the Fisheries Bill and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy — are being finalized to create a robust regulatory environment for the sector.
Dr. Oyetola also outlined the Ministry’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, such as the automation of fisheries operations and the creation of a Blue Data Bank in collaboration with the World Bank’s PROBLUE Programme. He added that empowerment initiatives like the Green Money Project are already helping to engage youth and women in aquaculture through access to inputs, training, and financial support.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to supporting evidence-based policymaking that can drive Nigeria toward fish self-sufficiency. He emphasized that NIPSS will continue to work closely with the Ministry to translate the forum’s outcomes into actionable strategies and policy reforms.
A statement issued by
Dr. Bolaji Akinola,
Special Adviser to the Minister explained that the two-day event, attended by experts, industry operators, and key stakeholders, is expected to produce far-reaching recommendations that will guide national policy formulation and investment decisions, aimed at boosting domestic fish production, reducing dependence on imports, and advancing sustainable growth within Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
