Fish Importation Faces Final Hook As Tinubu Launches Aquatic Revolution

The Federal Government has unveiled ambitious plans to halt fish importation in Nigeria, focusing on ramping up local production through sweeping reforms in the aquaculture and fisheries sector.

According to iReporter Online, this major policy shift was revealed during a high-level meeting between the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and key stakeholders from fisheries cooperative groups in Abuja on Thursday.

Oyetola, represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, stressed that Nigeria’s dependence on imported fish is no longer sustainable. He noted that the Tinubu-led administration is committed to reversing the trend through strategic investments and robust policy reforms aimed at achieving self-sufficiency.

“According to iReporter Online, we will scale up domestic fish production, reduce dependency on imports, and reposition the sector for sustainable growth,” he assured attendees.

The engagement drew participation from prominent groups such as the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (FCFN), Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria (TADAN), Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN), Women in Fish Farming and Aquaculture, and the Practising Farmers Association of Nigeria.

Oyetola emphasized that technical training, financial assistance, and policy support will be extended to fish farmers nationwide, especially targeting women and youth empowerment.

According to iReporter Online, the Ministry plans to provide access to start-up grants and capacity-building programs to boost youth participation in aquaculture, which is seen as both a food security initiative and a strategic tool for tackling unemployment.

Also addressing the meeting, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, said the gathering was a direct follow-up to the second-quarter Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement Forum held in Lagos earlier this month. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to strengthen collaboration with grassroots cooperatives to ensure inclusive growth in the blue economy sector.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”