By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria is positioning its fisheries and aquaculture sector as a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and food security.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who disclosed this, said the renewed efforts will enable the country to reduce dependence on imported fish.
Marine and Blue Economy Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, maintained that expanding domestic fish production could conserve foreign exchange, stimulate enterprise development, and create opportunities for thousands of youths and investors.
“Fisheries and aquaculture are flagship drivers of the blue economy because of their potential to enhance nutrition and generate sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
The Ministry said the federal government plans to close longstanding production gaps, strengthen the fish value chain, and attract technical and investment partnerships
In his remarks, the FAO Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr. Hussein Gadain, commended the Ministry’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.
Speaking during his visit to the Minister in Abuja on November 11, Dr. Gadain described the new national policy on Marine ans blue economy as a roadmap for maximizing the country’s marine resources while promoting food security and livelihoods.
He pledged continued technical support of FAO, reinforcing a collaborative effort to modernize the sector and transform Nigeria’s marine and blue economy into a significant contributor to national development.
