Nigeria targets 2m metric tonnes local fish production in 2026/27
Nigeria targets 2m metric tonnes local fish production in 2026/27
The Federal Government of Nigeria aims to significantly increase local fish production, targeting a rise from 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2025 to 2 million metric tonnes in 2026. This projection was made by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, during a fourth-quarter stakeholder engagement in Abuja. He highlighted that domestic fish output has already grown from 1.1 million to 1.4 million metric tonnes this year, reflecting the government’s efforts to boost local production, reduce imports, and enhance food security.
Oyetola attributed the growth in the fisheries and aquaculture subsector to targeted government interventions, including strengthening local capacity, improving coordination, deploying suitable technologies, and enhancing sectoral planning. While current production remains below Nigeria’s annual fish consumption estimate of 3.6 million metric tonnes, the minister emphasized that the progress demonstrates momentum toward self-sufficiency.
To further accelerate growth, the ministry has begun discussions with financial institutions to provide single-digit interest loans to fish farmers nationwide, aimed at improving access to finance, boosting productivity, empowering artisanal and industrial operators, and curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Oyetola reiterated that fisheries and aquaculture are being positioned as key drivers of economic diversification, job creation, and food security under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Supporting this, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Pius Akutah, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding investment, innovation, and development in the marine and blue economy. He described the stakeholder engagement as evidence of the ministry’s consistency in implementing presidential directives and advancing sector-wide reforms. Akutah highlighted the role of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in deepening public-private partnerships, which are crucial for attracting investment and accelerating growth.
He also pointed to positive indicators such as the Nigerian Ports Authority’s performance and Nigeria’s readmission into the global maritime community as signs of renewed confidence in the sector. Akutah credited the ministry’s leadership with fostering innovation within the NSC, further enhancing its effectiveness and contributing to the overall success of the Marine and Blue Economy ministry.
The Sun, 17 Dec 2025
