Takeaways

• Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has pledged to end Nigeria’s dependence on fish importation.
• The government plans to achieve self-sufficiency through improved aquaculture, infrastructure, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Norway has urged the Nigerian government to maintain zero import duty on stockfish to keep it affordable for consumers.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ending Nigeria’s reliance on fish importation. He said the country is working towards achieving self-sufficiency in fish production through a combination of public-private investment, modern technology, and strong stakeholder collaboration.

Speaking at an interactive seminar between stakeholders and regulatory authorities in Lagos, Oyetola, represented by the Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Dr. Wellington Omoragbon, said seafood is vital to Nigeria’s economy and to national food security and nutrition.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is strengthening its policy and institutional framework to promote sustainable seafood production. Several initiatives, including the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, the Marine and Blue Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan, and the Draft Fisheries Management Plan, have been developed to ensure the responsible management of fisheries resources.

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He noted that the government is also working to improve cold chain systems, promote fish processing and packaging, develop hatcheries, and provide better access to finance for fish farmers. A National Fish Terminal will soon be established as a hub for fish landing, processing, and distribution to reduce post-harvest losses.

Under the Blue Economy framework, Oyetola said, the government is implementing measures to curb Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, enhance export certification, and promote private sector participation. The ministry is also collaborating with development partners such as the World Bank and research institutions to drive innovation and sustainability.

He emphasized that the government alone cannot achieve these goals, calling on stakeholders to work together to strengthen the seafood value chain. “I reaffirm the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to the development of a sustainable, efficient, and inclusive seafood value chain that will contribute to national food security, employment generation, and economic growth. Working together, we can transform Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector into a globally competitive industry that not only feeds our people but also advances the national Blue Economy,” he added.

Meanwhile, Royal Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Svien Baera, called on the Nigerian government to maintain zero import duty on stockfish and its heads to ensure affordability. He explained that reduced cod quotas in Norway had pushed up prices, affecting both producers and consumers.

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Baera noted that Nigeria remains one of the largest importers of Norwegian stockfish, describing the trade as a “story of cultural exchange” between both countries. Norwegian Seafood Council representatives also expressed readiness to support Nigeria through training programs aimed at improving fish farming, sustainability, and export documentation.

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Source: THE NATION