The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced that Nigeria’s local fish production has reached 1.4 million metric tons, indicating a notable improvement in the fisheries sector.
Oyetola made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja at the 4th Quarter 2025 Citizens/Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting of the ministry, themed “Positioning Nigerian Marine and Blue Economy for Investment, Innovation and Expansion.”
According to the minister, domestic fish output has increased from 1.1 million to 1.4 million metric tons, a development he said reflects deliberate efforts to raise local production, cut down on fish imports and strengthen national food security.
“I am pleased to report that local fish production has increased from 1.1 million metric tons to 1.4 million metric tons so far this year.
“The growth recorded in the fisheries and aquaculture subsector reflects targeted interventions by the Federal Government aimed at strengthening local capacity, improving coordination, deploying appropriate technologies, and enhancing sectoral planning.
“In the area of fisheries and aquaculture, we are working deliberately and with unique agency to boost local fish production, reduce our dependence on imports, and strengthen food security,” he said.
Oyetola noted that although the current output still falls short of Nigeria’s estimated annual fish consumption of 3.6 million metric tons, the gains recorded so far show increasing momentum in the sector, which he described as a step toward self-sufficiency.
He added that the ministry was engaging relevant financial institutions to facilitate access to single-digit interest loans for fish farmers across the country in order to accelerate growth.
The minister explained that the initiative is aimed at improving access to affordable financing, empowering artisanal and industrial operators, enhancing productivity, and supporting efforts to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Oyetola reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to reposition fisheries and aquaculture as major contributors to economic diversification, job creation and food security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He further assured stakeholders of the ministry’s commitment to sustaining reforms, strengthening institutions and creating an enabling environment to attract private sector participation throughout the marine and blue economy value chain.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr Pius Akutah, stressed the importance of stakeholder collaboration, including the involvement of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), in driving sectoral growth.
Akutah said the participation of the ICRC was strategic to deepening Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), noting that such partnerships are vital for attracting investment and accelerating development.
He reiterated the council’s commitment to promoting sustainable infrastructure development through effective Public-Private Partnership frameworks.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed that the authority had exceeded its 2025 revenue projection of N1.2 trillion and achieved an 18.9 per cent increase in container traffic.
Dantsoho attributed the performance to the support and leadership provided by the minister and the ministry.
Similarly, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, reported notable growth and progress within the agency.
The Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria also announced improvements in membership registration, licensing and certification.
The event featured the launch of the ministry’s Enterprise Content Management System as a key highlight.
