Oyetola Vows To End Fish Importation

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has vowed to end Nigeria’s dependence on fish importation by aggressively boosting local fish production.

Speaking at a high-level consultative meeting with fisheries cooperative groups in Abuja, the minister outlined a bold vision aimed at transforming the nation’s aquaculture sector into a powerhouse of food security, employment, and export competitiveness.

Oyetola emphasised that the federal government was fully committed to supporting the fisheries and aquaculture subsector through policy, technical support, and financial inclusion.

“Nigeria must chart a new course towards self-sufficiency in fish production. We will scale up domestic fish production, reduce dependency on imports, and reposition the sector for sustainable growth,” he said.

The meeting, convened by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, brought together leaders and members of major fisheries and aquaculture associations, including the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (FCFN), Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria (TADAN), Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN), Women in Fish Farming and Aquaculture, and the Practicing Farmers Association of Nigeria.

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Oyetola announced that the ministry was intensifying efforts to support women and youth in the fishing sector, stating that start-up grants and other empowerment initiatives were already in the pipeline.

He said this move aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth engagement and economic diversification.

“Increasing youth participation in aquaculture is not only vital for food production but also a strategic solution to reducing unemployment. We are committed to ensuring that young people and women are not left behind in this transformation,” the minister added.