The Minister of Marine and Blue Economic system, Adegboyega Oyetola, has introduced that Nigeria is positioning itself to turn into a significant exporter of fish as a part of its strategic blue financial system push.
This was disclosed in an announcement on Wednesday by the Head of Press for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economic system, Muhammad Zakari.
On the thirty ninth Annual Nationwide Convention and Normal Assembly of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Oyetola, burdened that Nigeria is shifting in the direction of turning into a significant exporter of fish merchandise whereas additionally working to realize self-sufficiency.
“The institution of this ministry marks the start of a brand new period for the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector. Consistent with Mr President’s imaginative and prescient, the ministry is dedicated to attaining self-sufficiency in fish manufacturing and positioning Nigeria as a number one exporter of fish and fisheries merchandise.”
The Minister famous that the theme of this yr’s convention, “Unlocking the Funding Potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economic system: Advancing the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector for Sustainable Improvement,” aligns with the President’s objective of increasing the nation’s financial alternatives.
“The theme of this yr’s convention is especially vital, because it aligns with the President’s imaginative and prescient for sustainable financial diversification, mirrored within the institution of the Ministry of Marine and Blue
Economic system. This focus has been strengthened by the latest switch of the Division of Fisheries and Aquaculture to this Ministry, which is able to now straight oversee all fisheries-related issues.”
Oyetola additional said, “The Ministry is implementing varied initiatives to handle fisheries, improve funding in fisheries and aquaculture, enhance post-harvest infrastructure, promote innovation, leverage expertise, and foster multi-stakeholder collaborations.”
The Minister highlighted the dedication to completely utilising Nigeria’s marine assets, noting the sub-sector’s potential to spice up meals manufacturing, create jobs, and drive financial growth for Nigerians.
He added, “Fisheries and aquaculture are central to the broader imaginative and prescient for Nigeria’s Blue Economic system sector. The Ministry’s strategic focus is to upscale fish manufacturing sustainably, tapping into the total spectrum of our marine assets.
“This sub-sector has the potential to unlock long-term assets, enhance meals manufacturing, present job alternatives, and drive sustainable growth throughout our coastal and inland waters. This, in flip, presents long-term prosperity and safety for future generations.”
Oyetola talked about that, for the reason that division’s switch to the ministry 9 months in the past, vital progress has been made throughout a number of areas, together with boosting native feed manufacturing whereas decreasing imports, participating stakeholders to determine progress wants, enhancing public-private partnerships to draw funding, learning finest practices from nations like Morocco, and collaborating with worldwide organisations such because the FAO.
Moreover, Nigeria has been re-certified to export shrimp to the USA, European Union, and different world markets and achieved a historic 100% rating in certifying the Turtle Excluder Machine.