The Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria has begun a nationwide campaign to register, revalidate, and open bank accounts for its members in partnership with Wema Bank.
The exercise was flagged off on Tuesday at Kado Fish Market in Abuja, where federation officials said the initiative would strengthen financial inclusion and support for fish farmers and sellers across the country.
The federation’s public relations officer said sensitisation is ongoing to attract more members to the cooperative. He explained that after the exercise, registered members would gain access to training and financial assistance. The union currently has about eleven million members and aims to register an additional one million before September.
As part of the partnership, Wema Bank will facilitate account openings and data capture for members. The bank is also expected to build one fish market in each geopolitical zone of the country and provide health subsidies for registered members.
The federation’s president said the mobilisation drive will continue in other states, including Benue and Nasarawa. He commended the federal government and relevant ministries for their support of initiatives in the blue economy, livestock, agriculture, and food security.
Leaders of local associations also welcomed the move. The chairman of the Abuja Fresh Fish Sellers Association said the collaboration would bring financial empowerment and capacity-building opportunities to fish farmers. He noted that the bank had promised to boost members’ businesses with loans while the cooperative would contribute equipment such as smoking kits and other inputs needed to enhance productivity.
