Authors: Catherine Ragasa, Omobolanle Onilogbo, Chibuzo Nwagboso
On November 12-13, 2024, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and WorldFish organized a two-day workshop aimed at validating the new National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (2025-2029) under the CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies and CGIAR Initiative on Aquatic Foods. The workshop marked a key milestone in Nigeria's commitment to developing a sustainable and resilient aquatic food sector.
The event convened a total of 74 participants which included leaders from federal ministries, including the Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Permanent Secretary, and other representatives from the ministry, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security, Environment, and Finance, as well as experts from research institutes, the private sector, and civil society. Together, they reviewed and refined the draft policy, guided by a vision to address Nigeria’s pressing food security challenges through sustainable fisheries and aquaculture practices.
The opening remarks by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy emphasized the collaborative effort behind this policy. Adetunji Fasoranti, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, IFPRI-Nigeria and Sunil Siriwardena, Consultant, WorldFish also delivered remarks, underscoring the role of research and evidence-based policies in addressing challenges within Nigeria’s aquaculture industry.
In his keynote address, Hon. Minister Adegboyega Oyetola highlighted the critical importance of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy within Nigeria’s broader economic framework. “This policy is not just a response to the immediate need for food security,” he stated, “but a roadmap for unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s waters, aligned with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The policy is structured around three strategic objectives that address Nigeria’s unique challenges and opportunities: Strengthening Food and Nutrition Security, Optimizing Resource Utilization, and Inclusive Growth and Livelihoods. These objectives aim to increase Nigeria’s aquaculture production by one million metric tons over the next five years, providing a reliable source of nutritious food while supporting the country’s economic and environmental goals
The policy drafting process started in December 2022, with a request from the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture for support from IFPRI and WorldFish. The policy document has gone through an extensive consultation process, including a stakeholder workshop in August 2023. The policy document was guided by extensive and careful review, compilation, and analysis of existing data and evidence on fisheries and aquaculture sector in Nigeria, as well as bringing in international experience, by IFPRI and WorldFish. New studies - on aquaculture species diversification, catalyzing local aquafeed production, and strengthening aquaculture clusters - were initiated to fill data gaps in the policy document, with funding from CGIAR initiatives on Resilient Aquatic Food Systems and National Policies and Strategies. During the validation workshop, Dr. Ebinimi Joe Ansa, President, Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), presented the key findings and messages from these studies conducted in seven states – Abuja FCT, Bayelsa, Delta, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo. The study highlighted the need to fund and publicize more research to catalyze aqua species diversification, and to encourage women’s and youth’s inclusion in capacity building programs.
Throughout the validation workshop, participants engaged in technical sessions designed to refine policy specifics. Thematic working groups tackled diverse topics, including funding sources, policy coherence, interministerial collaboration, and monitoring and evaluation systems. Facilitators guided discussions around key issues such as: Data gaps in aquaculture, aquafeed, and diversification, practical steps for aligning the policy with Nigeria's environmental and agricultural goals, and the role of private sector and community engagement in achieving the policy’s targets.
Each group shared their insights, generating actionable recommendations that strengthened the policy framework and identified strategies for successful implementation. As the workshop concluded, participants validated the revised policy document.
With the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (2025-2029), Nigeria is poised to set a new course for its aquatic resources, enhancing food security, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and building resilience against future challenges. The Honorable Minister noted that “With this important policy document, we will continue to work towards a future where Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector paves the way for a sustainable and prosperous future.”
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