The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to significantly boost local fish production, targeting an increase from 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2025 to 2 million metric tonnes by the 2026/27 production cycle.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a fourth-quarter (Q4) stakeholder engagement session involving the ministry and its agencies.
Oyetola said the ambitious target aligns with the Federal Government’s broader strategy to strengthen the blue economy, reduce dependence on fish imports, and improve food security across the country. According to him, the planned expansion will also create jobs along the fisheries and aquaculture value chains, particularly for youths and coastal communities.
He explained that the ministry is prioritising investments in aquaculture development, improved access to quality fingerlings and feed, modern fishing techniques, and enhanced cold-chain infrastructure to minimise post-harvest losses.
The minister further noted that policy reforms and increased collaboration with the private sector and development partners are key components of the strategy to achieve the production target.
Oyetola assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment that will attract investment and promote sustainable exploitation of Nigeria’s marine and inland water resources.
The Q4 stakeholder engagement provided a platform for industry players, regulators, and policymakers to review sector performance, discuss challenges, and align on priorities for accelerating growth in the marine and blue economy sector.
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