Nigeria has recorded a significant boost in its domestic fish production capacity, according to an official announcement from the Federal Government. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed that local output has climbed to 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2025, marking a substantial rise from the previous figure of 1.1 million metric tonnes.
Strategic Push for Food Security and Economic Diversification
Oyetola made this revelation on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in Abuja during the 4th Quarter Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting of his ministry. He framed the achievement as a critical milestone in the nation's journey toward enhanced food security, reduced dependence on imported fish, and broader economic diversification under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister attributed this growth to deliberate federal interventions focused on strengthening local capacity, improving sector coordination, and deploying appropriate technologies. "I am pleased to report that local fish production has increased from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes so far this year," Oyetola stated. He acknowledged that while national consumption is estimated at 3.6 million metric tonnes annually, the current progress shows clear momentum toward self-sufficiency.
Key Initiatives and Sector-Wide Reforms
To accelerate growth further, the ministry has initiated talks with financial institutions to provide single-digit interest loans to fish farmers across the country. This initiative aims to:
- Expand access to affordable financing for farmers.
- Empower both artisanal and large-scale operators.
- Boost overall productivity within the subsector.
- Support efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Nigerian waters.
Beyond fisheries, Oyetola highlighted broader gains in the marine and blue economy. He pointed to Nigeria's zero piracy incidents for over three years in the Gulf of Guinea, a feat achieved through sustained investment in maritime security and inter-agency collaboration. Safety on inland waterways has also improved via the nationwide distribution of life jackets.
Port Performance and Digital Transformation
The ministry released impressive statistics showing robust port activity. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) reported a 16.2% increase in cargo throughput, reaching 33.52 million metric tonnes in Q3 2025. Notably, export-laden containers surged by an astounding 1,085%, with Lekki Port driving 46.8% of the total cargo growth.
On institutional reforms, Oyetola announced the launch of an Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) to boost efficiency and transparency. These efforts earned the ministry a 96% performance rating from the Central Delivery Coordination Unit. Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, reinforced the government's commitment to positioning the sector for greater investment and innovation through strengthened Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
The minister also noted Nigeria's recent election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its chairmanship of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea as evidence of growing global and regional confidence in the country's maritime governance.
