Nigeria’s Fish Independence: Tinubu’s Vision to End Imports and Empower Farmers”

The Federal Government has unveiled fresh measures to end Nigeria’s dependence on fish imports by boosting domestic production through sweeping reforms in the aquaculture and fisheries sector.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a strategic engagement with key stakeholders from fisheries cooperative groups.

Oyetola described the nation’s heavy reliance on imported fish as unsustainable, stressing the urgent need to reverse the trend through targeted investments and bold policy initiatives.

“Nigeria must chart a new course towards self-sufficiency in fish production,” the Minister said.

The meeting drew representatives from major industry groups, 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 Practising Farmers Association of Nigeria.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola affirmed the Tinubu administration’s resolve to reposition the marine and blue economy as a major driver of food security, employment, and export growth.

“We will scale up domestic fish production, reduce our dependence on imports, and build a fisheries sector that can sustain itself and create wealth,” he assured.

He also announced that government would provide policy support, technical training, and financial assistance to fish farmers and cooperatives. According to him, special programs will target women and youth, offering start-up grants and capacity development to expand their participation in the fish value chain.

“Increasing youth involvement in aquaculture is not just crucial for food production, it’s also a smart way to tackle unemployment. Women and young people will play a central role in this transformation,” Oyetola said.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola, noted that the engagement builds on resolutions from the second-quarter Citizens and Stakeholders Forum held in Lagos on July 3.

“We are committed to forging lasting partnerships with cooperatives nationwide to drive inclusive and sustainable growth in this vital subsector,” Oloruntola added.

The initiative forms part of a broader push to diversify Nigeria’s economy and boost non-oil exports by unlocking the potential of the blue economy