Nigeria Produces 1.4m Metric Tonnes Of Fish Yearly – Minister

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has revealed that local fish production has increased from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes this year.

Oyetola stated that the ministry and its agencies were working diligently and in collaboration with a specialised agencies to enhance local fish production, reduce dependence on imports and strengthen food security.

He spoke in Abuja yesterday at the 4th quarter 2025 citizens/stakeholders’ meeting.

The minister said, “I am pleased to report that local fish production has increased from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes so far this year. While this is still a far cry from the 3.6 million tonnes consumed annually, the progress reflects targeted interventions aimed at strengthening local capacity, improving coordination, developing appropriate technologies, and enhancing sectoral planning.

“The ministry has also initiated discussions with relevant financial institutions to facilitate single-digit interest loans for fish farmers nationwide. This initiative is designed to expand assets to affordable finance, empower artisanal and industrial operators, boost productivity and support our broader efforts to combat illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing in Nigerian waters,” he said.

The minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to repositioning fisheries and aquaculture as key drivers of economic diversification, job creation and food security.

According to him, “The growth recorded in the fisheries and aquaculture subsector reflects targeted interventions by the federal government aimed at strengthening local capacity, improving coordination, deploying appropriate technologies, and enhancing sectoral planning.

“In the area of fisheries and aquaculture, we are working deliberately and with unique agency to boost local fish production, reduce our dependence on imports, and strengthen food security. I’m pleased to report that local fish production has increased from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes so far this year.”

In his goodwill message, the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Pius Akutah, reiterated the federal government’s commitment to positioning Nigeria’s marine and blue economy for increased investment, innovation and expansion.

According to him, the meeting’s theme, “Positioning the Nigerian Marine and Blue Economy for Investment, Innovation, and Expansion”, reflected the administration’s determination to move the sector to the next level following the adoption of key policies.