Nigerian PPP launches US$6.2M aquaculture hub to boost fish production in Lagos

NIGERIA – Construction has begun on a US$6.2 million aquaculture centre in Igbonla, Epe, Lagos State, in a move to strengthen Nigeria’s food security and aquaculture capacity. 

The 35-hectare project, known as the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE), is designed to transform fish farming in the state and beyond.

The ambitious initiative is a public-private partnership between the Lagos State Government and Dula Agro-Services Limited. 

It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems and aims to produce 50 million fingerlings, 2,000 tonnes of ready-to-eat fish, 20,000 tonnes of processed fish, and 24,000 tonnes of fish feed annually.

“This centre is more than infrastructure; it’s about transforming livelihoods,” said Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, during a recent site inspection. 

“With this development, Lagos will significantly boost fish production, enhance food security, and create over 1,000 jobs across the value chain.”

The facility will serve as a one-stop hub for aquaculture activities, integrating hatcheries, fattening units, a fish feed mill, and a state-of-the-art processing plant, the first of its kind in the country. 

It is expected to directly benefit over 5,000 smallholder farmers by offering training, input supply, and guaranteed offtake for their harvests.

According to Mr. Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman of the Board of the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence Limited, the project sends a clear signal about the government’s commitment to inclusive development. 

“This initiative isn’t just for Lagos; it’s a national resource that empowers farmers, youths, and entrepreneurs,” he said.

The centre will also function as a research and training hub, focused on improving farming techniques and promoting sustainable practices in the aquaculture sector.

Mr. Ifedolapo Atinmo, CEO of Dula Agro-Services, assured stakeholders of timely project completion. 

“This project represents growth, innovation, and sustainability for Lagos’ aquaculture sector,” he stated.

LACE is being positioned not only as a production centre but also as a key player in reducing Nigeria’s reliance on fish imports. 

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria produced 1.1 million tonnes of fish in 2022, with aquaculture contributing just 27% of that volume. Meanwhile, the country imports over 700,000 tonnes of fish annually to meet domestic demand.

“This is going to be a production facility for fish fingerlings, processing, and serve as an offtake facility for all fish farmers we have in Lagos,” Commissioner Olusanya said, reinforcing the centre’s role in supporting local producers.

The Lagos initiative echoes recent developments in other states, including a hatchery launched in November by the Cross River State Government in Calabar, and aligns with a federal plan introduced in 2022 to grow African catfish production by 20% over ten years.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.