Sustainable aquaculture could reshape Nigeria’s food security landscape, experts have said, warning that unless the country reduces its dependence on antibiotics in fish farming, the sector risks undermining both public health and long-term productivity.

With a population of more than 200 million – 60 percent of whom are under 25 – Nigeria faces soaring demand for affordable protein. Fish remains a critical part of the national diet, yet domestic supply still falls short, making aquaculture central to the country’s food strategy. Nigeria is already Africa’s second-largest aquaculture producer, but experts say structural challenges are holding back its full potential.

Chief among these challenges are the high costs of feed, recurrent disease outbreaks, and the widespread use of antibiotics. Studies show that in parts of northern Nigeria, as many as 78 percent of fish farmers admit using antibiotics, with the figure climbing to 84 percent in Katsina State. Even in the southwest, more than half of farms rely on antibiotics in feed or water. Tests have revealed dangerous residues of tetracycline in fish flesh and pond water, raising concerns about food safety and the risk of antibiotic resistance.

“This is a silent public health emergency,” said Abdullahi Idowu, a fisheries graduate from the University of Lagos, who has spent years researching sustainable alternatives to drug-based disease management. “You cannot build food security on sick fish, and you cannot fight antimicrobial resistance while pouring antibiotics into ponds.”

Abdullahi’s research began with locally sourced herbal solutions. His undergraduate project investigated the immune-boosting potential of Cochlospermum tinctorium, a plant widely available in Nigeria. The study found that extracts improved both the immunity and growth performance of African catfish juveniles, suggesting that natural compounds could reduce dependence on synthetic drugs.

After graduating top of his class with a first-class degree in fisheries, Abdullahi moved into practical farm management, working with Icerberg Agricultural Consult Ltd. There, he tested probiotic-based feed systems in juvenile ponds, completely replacing antibiotics with probiotic supplements. “The results were encouraging – survival rates improved, growth was steady, and farmers saved money,” he recalled. “It showed that sustainable alternatives aren’t just theories, they work in practice.”

Despite these successes, barriers remain. Farmers often lack awareness of antibiotic-free solutions, while local feed industries are underdeveloped. Many of the additives needed for natural interventions are either unavailable or too costly. Abdullahi argues that the government and private sector must invest in scaling up these solutions.

“Scaling up requires more than laboratory trials,” he said. “We need farmer training, affordable feed technologies, and government-backed programmes that connect research to practice. Without these, adoption will remain limited.”

The stakes are high. Nigeria’s annual per capita fish consumption is about 12 kilogrammes, far below the global average of 21 kilogrammes. With population growth outpacing production, the gap between demand and supply is widening. Experts warn that without structural reforms, Nigeria will remain heavily reliant on fish imports, undermining its food security goals.

Sustainable aquaculture, Abdullahi argues, offers a clear path forward. “Natural dietary solutions can cut mortality, reduce costs, and strengthen resilience,” he said. “If we make the transition, aquaculture can transform not only the food sector but also rural livelihoods, trade, and public health.”

As the global demand for protein rises and wild fish stocks continue to decline, Nigeria’s aquaculture sector is at a crossroads. Whether it becomes a driver of national food security or remains hampered by short-term fixes may depend on how quickly sustainable practices replace antibiotics in fish farms.

“The future of aquaculture must be about resilience,” Abdullahi concluded. “Nature already gives us the tools to get there. What we need is the commitment to use them.”