WorldFish Pioneers Sustainable Mariculture In Nigeria With BIMTA Initiative

WorldFish Nigeria has launched a pilot Brackish-water Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (BIMTA) project aimed at testing salt-tolerant fish farming systems and expanding sustainable mariculture along Nigeria’s coastline.

The pilot was unveiled in Ode-Omi, Ogun Waterside local government area of Ogun State and Badagry, Lagos State.

The project is being implemented under the Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) initiative, led by WorldFish in partnership with Lagos State University (LASU) and funded by the UK International Development through the Blue Planet Fund.

AABS, which is designed as a South-South collaboration, is to respond to climate change, pollution and overexploitation that continue to undermine aquatic food systems in Africa and Asia.

Speaking at the launch, WorldFish Nigeria country representative, Charles Iyangbe, explained that Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), adapted as BIMTA to suit Nigeria’s coastal ecosystems, integrates finfish, shellfish and aquatic plants into a climate-smart  production system.

He said, “BIMTA has the potential to strengthen food security by increasing local fish production and reducing Nigeria’s over US$1 billion annual fish import bill, while creating jobs across the value chain from cage fabrication and seed production to processing, particularly for women and youth.

As an adaptive, climate-smart aquaculture model, BIMTA utilises aquatic plants, such as seaweed, for carbon capture and shellfish for improving water quality, thereby opening pathways to carbon credits. It also positions Nigeria to access global partnerships and financing for sustainable aquaculture, while tapping emerging markets for seaweed products and premium shellfish.”

Across participating countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Bangladesh, the initiative targeted more than 300,000 beneficiaries, with women and youth accounting for approximately half of them. It focused on restoring degraded ecosystems while supporting livelihoods through nature-positive aquaculture innovations.

IMTA lead scientist, Victor Okomoda, said the pilot would generate practical evidence and real-time data needed to guide policy decisions and future investments in aquaculture.

He noted that lessons from the project would strengthen local capacity and support wider adoption of IMTA systems across Nigeria and the West African coast.

At the Ogun State launch, Adeyemi Osilalu, representing the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, stated that the state government remained committed to partnerships with development organisations working to improve food production and rural livelihoods.

The Lenuwa of Ode-Omi Kingdom, HRH Oba Oshotekun II, welcomed the project, describing the pilot as a significant development for the community.

In Lagos State, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, was represented by Mr Akin Pedro, Deputy Director at the State Department of Fisheries, who stated that the pilot would support skills development through hands-on training for farmers and provide practical learning opportunities for students.

WorldFish’s academic partner at LASU, Prof. Shehu Akintola, stated that IMTA systems offer advantages over conventional cage culture by enhancing environmental performance and resource utilisation.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Temidire Fishermen and Waterway Union, Alaba Kalejaiye, also welcomed the initiative, saying the pilot had already created jobs.

Also in Badagry, Olaleru Olabusoye, the president of the Badagry Commercial Mariculture, Aquaculture, and Allied Farmers, stated that local farmers would collaborate with partners to support the project’s expansion.