The ministry of marine and blue economy has partnered with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to boost fish production and bridge Nigeria’s 2.2 million metric tonne deficit.

The minister of marine and blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, stated this at a two-day round table on accelerating national fish production held on Wednesday in Lagos.

Mr Oyetola said the collaboration would close Nigeria’s supply gap through a coordinated policy roadmap and targeted investment strategies across the fisheries and aquaculture subsectors.

He noted that the partnership marked a major step in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food security, job creation, and economic diversification.

“Current output meets only about 38.9 per cent of the 3.6 million metric tonnes required annually. The 2.2 million metric tonne deficit is unsustainable,” Mr Oyetola said.

He said the round table would produce a National Fish Production Acceleration Roadmap to guide future investments and reforms in the sector.

The minister added that new legal frameworks, including the Fisheries Bill and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, were being developed to improve sustainability and governance.

He also highlighted ongoing digital reforms, such as automating fisheries operations and establishing a Blue Data Bank in partnership with the World Bank’s PROBLUE Programme.

Mr Oyetola said initiatives like the Green Money Project were empowering youth and women through aquaculture training and input support.

Director-general of NIPSS, Ayo Omotayo, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to promoting evidence-based policies that would help Nigeria attain fish self-sufficiency.

Mr Omotayo said NIPSS would continue working with the ministry to turn the forum’s outcomes into actionable strategies for national implementation.

The two-day event brought together experts, operators, and other stakeholders to generate recommendations for national policy.

It was also expected to guide investment decisions aimed at increasing local fish production, cutting imports, and ensuring sustainable growth within Nigeria’s blue economy.

(NAN)