By Francesca Hangeior

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced that Nigeria is positioning itself to become a major exporter of fish as part of its strategic blue economy push.

This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Head of Press for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Muhammad Zakari.

At the 39th Annual National Conference and General Meeting of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Oyetola, stressed that Nigeria is moving towards becoming a major exporter of fish products while also working to achieve self-sufficiency.

“The establishment of this ministry marks the beginning of a new era for the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector. In line with Mr President’s vision, the ministry is committed to achieving self-sufficiency in fish production and positioning Nigeria as a leading exporter of fish and fisheries products.”

The Minister noted 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,” aligns with the President’s goal of expanding the nation’s economic opportunities.

“The theme of this year’s conference is particularly significant, as it aligns with the President’s vision for sustainable economic diversification, reflected in the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue
Economy. This focus has been reinforced by the recent transfer of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to this Ministry, which will now directly oversee all fisheries-related matters.”

Oyetola further stated, “The Ministry is implementing various initiatives to manage fisheries, enhance investment in fisheries and aquaculture, improve post-harvest infrastructure, promote innovation, leverage technology, and foster multi-stakeholder collaborations.”

The Minister highlighted the commitment to fully utilising Nigeria’s marine resources, noting the sub-sector’s potential to boost food production, create jobs, and drive economic development for Nigerians.

He added, “Fisheries and aquaculture are central to the broader vision for Nigeria’s Blue Economy sector. The Ministry’s strategic focus is to upscale fish production sustainably, tapping into the full spectrum of our marine resources.

“This sub-sector has the potential to unlock long-term resources, increase food production, provide job opportunities, and drive sustainable development across our coastal and inland waters. This, in turn, offers long-term prosperity and security for future generations.”

Oyetola mentioned that, since the department’s transfer to the ministry nine months ago, significant progress has been made across several areas, including boosting local feed production while reducing imports, engaging stakeholders to identify growth needs, enhancing public-private partnerships to attract investment, studying best practices from countries like Morocco, and collaborating with international organisations such as the FAO.