Ogun State Government has stressed the need for increased investment in fisheries and aquaculture to bridge Nigeria’s fish supply deficit, strengthen food security, create jobs and accelerate economic growth.
Governor Dapo Abiodun made the call
during the 41st Annual Conference and Lecture of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), to commemorate the Society’s 50th anniversary themed, “Blue Economy: Advancing Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture for Food Security and Economic Growth.”
Prince Abiodun represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, described the theme as timely, noting that Nigeria’s annual fish demand of 3.6 million metric tonnes far exceeds domestic production of approximately 1.4 million metric tonnes, leaving a substantial supply gap and driving dependence on imports.
He stressed that fisheries and aquaculture practitioners, investors and research institutions must work together to expand domestic production, ensure access to affordable protein and unlock the economic potential of the blue economy.
The Governor commended the Federal Government’s recognition of the sector’s strategic importance through the establishment of a dedicated ministry for the blue economy, emphasising the need for stronger partnerships, innovation and private-sector investment.
Reaffirming Ogun State’s commitment to sustainable fisheries development, Governor Abiodun, highlighted his administration’s targeted interventions to boost production, improve fish farmers’ livelihoods and reduce post-harvest losses, adding that through the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS), the State had registered 5,068 fish farmers, with 4,600 benefiting from various support programmes, aimed at raising productivity across the fisheries value chain.
The Governor disclosed that the State had invested over ₦2.7 billion in subsidising fish feed for more than 4,256 farmers, enabling beneficiaries to access essential inputs at a 30 per cent discount throughout their production cycle.
To improve service delivery and strengthen coordination, participating farmers were organised into five major fish clusters, pointing out that government had also provided fish-smoking kilns, chest freezers and stainless-steel processing equipment to promote hygienic handling, preservation and value addition.
"Additionally, the State has connected the clusters with off-takers to improve market access, secure outlets for farmers’ produce and minimise post-harvest losses," he said.
Governor Abiodun, reiterated that these interventions formed part of his administration’s end-to-end agricultural support strategy, combining capacity building, subsidised inputs, processing infrastructure and market linkages to drive sustainable production and improve farmers’ incomes
He reaffirmed Ogun State’s readiness to deepen collaboration with FISON, research institutions and private investors in order to expand aquaculture, strengthen the fisheries value chain and contribute meaningfully to national food security.
In her valedictory address, FISON National President, Dr. (Mrs.) Ebinimi Ansa, identified aquaculture as a major driver of economic growth and food security, just as she highlighted persistent constraints, that included high input costs, fish health challenges, limited access to quality feed and fingerlings, inadequate infrastructure and market uncertainties.
Ansa, called for coordinated action among governments, professional associations, research institutions and private-sector stakeholders, stressing that no single institution could address these challenges in isolation.
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