Nigeria targets 2.2M-tonne fish deficit with new production plan

NIGERIA – Nigeria has given a new technical committee eight weeks to develop a practical roadmap to close the country’s 2.2 million-tonne fish production gap, with high feed costs and weak fish health systems among the key constraints identified.

Nigeria requires more than 3.6 million tonnes of fish annually, while domestic production stood at 1.4 million tonnes in 2025, according to the Federal Government.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Dr Adegboyega Oyetola said the committee must turn recommendations from a 2025 strategic roundtable into measures that can increase production and reduce reliance on imports.

“The committee has been given eight weeks to move from recommendations to a practical implementation roadmap that addresses the major constraints limiting fish production and supply across Nigeria,” Oyetola said.

He identified high feed costs, limited access to quality fish seed and broodstock, weak fish health systems, post-harvest losses and inadequate cold-chain infrastructure as major barriers to sector growth.

Other challenges include limited access to affordable finance, research and innovation gaps, weak data systems, inadequate standards, traceability challenges and insufficient market development.

Feed costs remain a major aquaculture constraint

The government wants the committee to identify interventions that deliver measurable improvements across production, processing, storage and marketing while creating investment and employment opportunities.

“We must identify interventions that can deliver measurable improvements in production, processing, storage and marketing, while creating opportunities for investment, job creation and stronger participation across the value chain,” Oyetola said.

The committee has been directed to assess existing recommendations, map current public and private initiatives and identify opportunities for private investment, public-private partnerships and development finance.

Its final report is expected to set out priority interventions, responsible institutions, timelines, indicative costs, funding options and performance indicators.

Oyetola said Nigeria should reduce its dependence on imported fish by using its available resources and technical capacity to expand domestic production.

“Nigeria cannot continue to depend heavily on imported fish when we have the resources and human capacity to expand domestic production and strengthen food security,” he said.

For the aquaculture industry, addressing feed affordability alongside fish health, seed quality and infrastructure will be critical to closing the production gap and improving the competitiveness of domestic fish farming.

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