The federal government has given a newly inaugurated technical committee eight weeks to develop measures capable of addressing Nigeria’s 2.2 million-tonne fish production deficit.

Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, gave the deadline on Thursday in Abuja while inaugurating the Technical Committee on Accelerating Fish Production in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s annual fish requirement is estimated at more than 3.6 million metric tonnes, while domestic production stands at 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2025, leaving a substantial supply gap.

Mr Oyetola said the committee was expected to translate recommendations from an October 2025 strategic roundtable into practical actions capable of increasing domestic production and reducing dependence on fish 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.

“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.

“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.

The minister identified high feed costs, inadequate access to quality fish seed and broodstock, weak fish health systems, post-harvest losses and inadequate cold-chain infrastructure as major constraints.

He also cited limited access to affordable finance, research and innovation gaps, weak data systems, inadequate standards, traceability challenges and insufficient market development among the issues requiring urgent attention.

Mr Oyetola said the transfer of fisheries and aquaculture functions to the ministry of marine and vlue economy had provided a stronger institutional platform for addressing the challenges.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to increasing sustainable domestic fish production, strengthening the fisheries value chain and progressively reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported fish.

The minister said the ministry, in collaboration with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, held a strategic roundtable on October 29, 2025, on accelerating fish production.

He said the roundtable produced recommendations aimed at addressing production and value chain constraints, adding that the new committee would rigorously assess the proposals and determine priorities.

Mr Oyetola charged the committee to establish whether the recommendations should be adopted, refined, integrated into existing frameworks, subjected to further study or discarded where considered unviable.

He also directed members to map existing initiatives across the public, private and development sectors in order to strengthen proven strategies and avoid duplication of scarce resources.

According to him, the committee’s final report should contain priority interventions, responsible institutions, timelines, indicative costs, funding options, performance indicators and required approvals.

He said the report should also identify credible opportunities for private-sector investment, public-private partnerships, development finance and other sustainable funding arrangements to support implementation.

The minister urged members drawn from government, academia, professional bodies, research institutions and industry to approach the assignment with urgency, objectivity and a strong focus on results.

He said recommendations must be realistic, evidence-based and financially responsible, while delivering tangible improvements in fish production, employment generation and food security across the country.

Mr Oyetola assured the committee of the ministry’s support, expressing confidence that its work would provide a practical pathway for accelerating growth in Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Speaking earlier, the permanent secretary and chairman of the committee, Fatima Mahmood, said members would thoroughly review the roundtable recommendations and develop practical interventions.

Ms Mahmood said the committee would work with relevant government institutions, researchers, industry stakeholders and development partners to identify priority actions and address existing gaps.

She said the committee would also develop a realistic implementation roadmap capable of accelerating sustainable fish production, strengthening the fisheries value chain and contributing to food security.

Akintola Latunji, Professor of Fisheries at Lagos State University and a committee member, appreciated the minister for the inauguration and pledged members’ commitment.

Mr Latunji said the committee would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to deliver its mandate and catalyse fish production across the country.

Mmembers of the committee include Ms Mahmood, Omoragbon Wellington, Garba Usman, Ayo Omotayo, Sule Abiodun, Mr Latunji and Sadiku Omeiza.

Others are Faith Zibs-Godwin, Charles Okaga, Ebinimi Ansa, Onoja Sunday, Mashi Sani, Remi Ahmed and Charles Iyangbe.

The committee is expected to submit its report within eight weeks, providing the government with an implementation framework for boosting domestic fish production and reducing Nigeria’s supply deficit. 

(NAN)