Nigeria faces 2.2 million-tonne annual fish deficit — FG

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola…Photo: File Copy

Nigeria is grappling with an annual fish supply deficit of more than 2.2 million tonnes, as domestic production remains significantly below national demand, the Federal Government has disclosed.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, announcing a $200m World Bank-backed initiative to expand fish production across the country.

According to the ministry, Nigeria requires approximately 3.6 million tonnes of fish annually but produces only 1.4 million tonnes, leaving a shortfall largely covered through imports costing nearly $1bn annually.

Speaking through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, at an aquaculture investment training in Abuja, Oyetola said the country must reduce its dependence on imported fish.

“Fish is a pillar of food security, household nutrition and rural livelihoods. No nation can call itself food secure while it imports most of the fish it eats. Our ambition is to produce more, import less and, in time, become a net exporter. That ambition can be achieved only when every state plays its part,” he said.

The figures indicate that domestic production meets only about 39 per cent of Nigeria’s annual fish requirement, leaving approximately 61 per cent unmet by local producers.

“Nigeria requires approximately 3.6 million tonnes of fish annually but currently produces about 1.4 million tonnes, leaving a deficit exceeding 2.2 million tonnes. The shortfall is largely bridged through imports, which cost the country close to $`1bn annually in foreign exchange,” the statement read.

Oyetola disclosed that the World Bank Group had committed `$200m to support fisheries and aquaculture development, with the funding expected to reach state governments through concessional loans.

The financing is intended to expand production capacity, attract private investment and strengthen food security.

Under the proposed framework, states will identify priority fisheries value chains, assess investment opportunities and develop bankable projects with measurable production targets.

The minister explained that achieving fish sufficiency would require stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, investors and development partners.

He spoke at the Executive Training on Aquaculture Investment Guide, organised by the ministry in collaboration with the World Bank Group.

The programme brought together commissioners from Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Cross River states, alongside permanent secretaries and fisheries officials from across the federation.

Participants received training in investment planning, risk management, environmental safeguards and public-private partnerships.

Oyetola also announced plans for a post-training stakeholders’ roundtable to strengthen implementation and coordinate state-level commitments.

He attributed recent progress in the sector to initiatives including the inauguration of the Technical Committee on Accelerating Fish Production in August 2026 and the digitisation of fish import licensing.

He noted that national fish production had increased from 1.1 million to 1.4 million tonnes, representing an improvement of approximately 27.3 per cent.

Other developments included Nigeria’s attainment of United States shrimp-export certification through compliance with Turtle Excluder Device requirements and the development of the Fish City and Fish Terminal investment portfolio.

“Through strategic collaboration, contributive support and shared commitment, we will close the fish deficit, create jobs, raise household incomes and secure Nigeria’s place as a fish-sufficient nation,” Oyetola added