In a strategic push to close Nigeria’s annual fish production gap and reduce reliance on imports, the Federal Government, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has launched a ₦200 million aquaculture initiative.
The project, unveiled at the Eriwe fish farming cluster in Odogbolu, Ogun State, forms part of the Scaling Fish Farming through Finance program under the FISH4ACP initiative. It is aimed at enhancing local fish farming through improved access to finance and inputs.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Wellington Omoragbon, Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy—represented by Mr. Paul Opuama—highlighted the critical role of sustainable aquaculture in safeguarding Nigeria’s food security. He commended FAO and other development partners for their continued support in strengthening the country’s fish production ecosystem.
Despite Nigeria’s rich aquatic resources, Omoragbon noted that rising feed prices and lack of accessible finance remain major hurdles for fish farmers. “With partnerships like this, we can begin to bridge the production deficit and empower our farmers with the resources they need to scale,” he said.
FAO’s Representative in Nigeria and West Africa, Mr. Koffy Kouacou, echoed these sentiments, urging a swift end to the importation of approximately two million metric tonnes of fish annually. He emphasized that the initiative—funded by the European Union—is designed to unlock financing opportunities for fish farmers and scale domestic aquaculture operations.
Under the pilot phase, 40 farmers will each receive between ₦2.5 million and ₦5 million in funding, totaling ₦200 million. The funds are expected to help participants expand their businesses, create jobs, and contribute to national food sufficiency.
“We are here in collaboration with the Federal and Ogun State Governments, as well as financial institutions, to officially launch this support scheme,” Kouacou stated. “This initiative will enable farmers to access critical financing and ultimately reduce Nigeria’s dependence on fish imports.”
Mr. Hugh Briggs, Programme Manager for Agriculture at the EU Delegation to Nigeria, added that Nigeria is receiving the largest share of the FISH4ACP grant—part of a broader aquaculture development effort spanning 12 countries worldwide
