Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced fresh measures to slash the nation’s dependence on fish imports by boosting local production and opening new opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in aquaculture.
Speaking on Thursday, Oyetola said the ministry is aggressively supporting aquaculture development, improving artisanal fishing methods, and expanding fish farming clusters nationwide. The goal, he explained, is to save foreign exchange, create thousands of jobs, and build sustainable livelihoods in coastal and riverine communities.
“We cannot continue to import what we have the capacity to produce locally,” Oyetola said. “This will not only save our foreign exchange but will create thousands of jobs for our people, especially in coastal and riverine communities.”
Central to the new agenda is the empowerment of youth and women to take leading roles in Nigeria’s growing blue economy. The minister said the ministry is designing initiatives that will give young people and women the skills, resources, and market access they need to build profitable marine-based enterprises.
The push comes on the heels of the Federal Executive Council’s approval of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy a framework that promotes sustainable use of the country’s oceans, seas, rivers, and coastal assets for wealth creation, job generation, and food security.
The World Bank has pledged technical assistance, capacity building, and financing support for strategic projects in the sector. Gladys Fajomu, who led the Bank’s team, commended Oyetola’s leadership and reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to working with Nigeria on policy implementation, infrastructure development, and private sector engagement.
With the policy now in place and support from development partners, Oyetola believes Nigeria is on track to unlock the full potential of its marine resources, reduce imports, and position the country as a leader in Africa’s emerging blue economy
