Fish Production in Nigeria Falls Short of National Demand ▼ × Advertise with us Friday, July 24, 2026 Most Widely
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Education Sex & Relationship Interview Columns Opinion Advertise with us ‘Local fish production falls short of
national demand’ July 23, 2026 1:20 am The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. By Anozie
Egole Kindly share this story: The Sea Empowerment & Research Centre, a maritime research organisation, has warned
that trends in Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector show that domestic fish production continues to lag
significantly behind national demand. SEREC added that despite ongoing investments under the Federal Ministry of Marine
and Blue Economy, Nigeria still consumes substantially more fish than it produces locally, leaving a considerable supply
deficit that is largely met through imports. The group stated this in its special mid-year maritime security & blue
economy bulletin signed by the Head of Research at SEREC, Eugene Nweke, obtained by The PUNCH. SEREC emphasised that the
production gap in the fishing and aquaculture sector represents not only a food security challenge but also a missed
economic opportunity. “SEREC’s review of developments within Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector reveals
that local fish production continues to fall significantly below national demand. Despite ongoing investments under the
Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigeria still consumes substantially more fish than it produces locally,
leaving a considerable supply deficit that is largely met through imports. This production gap represents not only a
food security challenge but also a missed economic opportunity,” SEREC said. The body stressed that the fisheries
sector possesses enormous potential to generate employment, improve rural livelihoods, strengthen food security,
conserve foreign exchange and stimulate non-oil exports if adequately supported through deliberate policy interventions.
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Shettima leads six governors on working visit to Benin Republic It nevertheless lamented that high feed costs, limited
access to affordable financing, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, post-harvest losses, illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing, weak processing facilities and climate-related pressures continue to constrain sectoral growth.
SEREC recommends accelerated investment in commercial aquaculture, fish hatcheries, modern processing facilities,
cold-chain logistics, fisheries financing and stronger enforcement against illegal fishing activities. “A vibrant
fisheries industry remains indispensable to Nigeria’s Blue Economy aspirations and should occupy a strategic position
within the nation’s economic diversification agenda,” it added. The group pointed out that securing the nation’s
ports against organised transnational crime while simultaneously unlocking the immense economic potential of fisheries
and the Blue Economy must remain complementary national priorities. SEREC therefore called for sustained investment in
maritime security architecture, technology-driven trade facilitation, institutional collaboration, fisheries development
and private sector participation to position Nigeria as a secure, competitive and globally respected maritime nation.
“Only through coordinated policy implementation and stakeholder commitment can Nigeria fully realise the economic,
security and developmental benefits of its maritime resources,” it concluded. Anozie Egole Anozie is a Chief
Correspondent at Punch Newspapers with over 13 years of experience covering entertainment, maritime, and transport
sectors. He specializes in producing insightful, engaging stories that provide clarity and depth across his beats.
Anozie’s work reflects substantial newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accurate and compelling journalism.
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