The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced Nigeria’s strategic initiative to become a leading exporter of fish as part of its blue economy objectives.

The declaration was made during the 39th Annual National Conference and General Meeting of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria, where Oyetola represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Muhammad Zakari, Head of Press for the Ministry, Oyetola stressed the country’s dual focus on boosting fish product exports while achieving self-sufficiency in fish production.

He stated, “The establishment of this ministry marks the beginning of a new era for the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector. In line with Mr President’s vision, the ministry is committed to achieving self-sufficiency in fish production and positioning Nigeria as a leading exporter of fish and fisheries products.”

The minister noted that the conference’s theme, “Unlocking the Investment Potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy: Advancing the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector for Sustainable Development,” aligns it with the President’s vision for sustainable economic diversification. The vision, according to Oyetola, is reinforced by the recent transfer of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to the Ministry, allowing for direct oversight of all fisheries-related activities.

Oyetola outlined several initiatives aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors, including improving post-harvest infrastructure, promoting innovation, leveraging technology, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

He also stressed the importance of fully utilising Nigeria’s marine resources to boost food production, create jobs, and drive economic development.

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“Fisheries and aquaculture are central to the broader vision for Nigeria’s Blue Economy sector. The Ministry’s strategic focus is to upscale fish production sustainably, tapping into the full spectrum of our marine resources,” he said.

“This sub-sector has the potential to unlock long-term resources, increase food production, provide job opportunities, and drive sustainable development across our coastal and inland waters. This, in turn, offers long-term prosperity and security for future generations.”

Since the department’s integration into the ministry nine months ago, Oyetola noted significant advancements, including increased local feed production to reduce imports and enhanced public-private partnerships to attract investments.

He added that Nigeria has been re-certified to export shrimp to the U.S., European Union, and other international markets, achieving a historic 100 per cent certification score in the Turtle Excluder Device.