The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has partnered with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to accelerate national fish production and close Nigeria’s estimated 2.2 million metric tonne supply gap through a coordinated policy roadmap.
Speaking on Wednesday at the opening of a two-day Round Table Discussion on Accelerating National Fish Production in Lagos, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, said the collaboration with NIPSS marks a critical step in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food security, job creation, and economic diversification.
He said the current output meets only about 38.9 per cent of the 3.6 million metric tonnes of fish required annually, leaving a deficit of over 2.2 million metric tonnes, forcing Nigeria to rely heavily on imports.
Oyetola said this trend is unsustainable economically, nutritionally and environmentally.
The minister said the round table aims to produce a National Fish Production Acceleration Roadmap that will guide strategic investments and reforms in the fisheries and aquaculture subsector.
He noted that new policies and legal frameworks, including the Fisheries Bill and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, are being developed to strengthen sustainability and governance.
Oyetola also highlighted digital reforms within the Ministry, including the automation of fisheries operations and the establishment of a Blue Data Bank in partnership with the World Bank’s PROBLUE Programme.
He said initiatives such as the Green Money Project are already empowering youth and women to engage in aquaculture through input support and training.
On his part, the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to supporting evidence-based policymaking that can help Nigeria achieve fish self-sufficiency.
He said NIPSS would continue to work with the ministry to translate the outcomes of the round table into actionable strategies.
Meanwhile, Oyetola has urged mechanical engineers to harness opportunities within Nigeria’s vast coastal and marine ecosystem by developing critical equipment that could drive a sustainable blue economy for the country.
He also called for stronger partnerships between government, academia, and professional institutions to train young Nigerians in marine engineering, subsea design, and green energy systems.
Oyetola made the call at the 38th international conference, exhibition and yearly general meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) with the theme ‘Promoting a sustainable blue economy through technological advancement: the mechanical engineering perspectives’ in Ikeja, Lagos.
Represented by the Director of Marine Conservation, Innovation and Technology, Hussaini Shettima, he outlined several areas where mechanical engineers had contributed to the marine and blue economy value chain, as well as emerging gaps requiring their intervention.
The Minister challenged them to drive innovations not only to enhance efficiency but also to lower costs and position Nigeria to compete confidently in the global blue economy.
