Nigeria produces less than a quarter of fish demand, farmers say
The National Fish Association of Nigeria says domestic production falls far short of the country’s estimated annual fish requirement of 300,000 metric tonnes. Its president, Ladan Aliyu, urged farmers to form sustainable cooperatives and seek coordinated government support to expand output and reduce reliance on imports.
Nigeria’s domestic fish production is meeting less than a quarter of the country’s estimated requirement of 300,000 metric tonnes, according to the National Fish Association of Nigeria. The association’s president, Ladan Aliyu, disclosed the shortfall in Abuja during the inauguration of its newly elected executive committee. Industry stakeholders at the event also raised concerns about rising fish prices, inadequate local production and the cost of imported frozen fish.
Aliyu said Nigeria was not currently producing even one quarter of the fish required for consumption. He added that imports supplied only part of the deficit, leaving the country dependent on limited domestic output and foreign supplies. He called on fish farmers to organise into sustainable cooperative societies, saying stronger collaboration would help them access training, production inputs and supportive government policies.
He said farmers working collectively would also be better placed to engage authorities on measures needed to expand the sector. Aliyu argued that domestic fish farming needed to be strengthened rather than relying heavily on imports to meet the country’s protein needs. He said locally farmed fish could be cheaper than imported varieties, while the depreciation of the naira had increased the cost of imported products.
The association’s deputy president, Adewale Adewu, also linked higher prices to global market conditions and Nigeria’s dependence on imports. He said international price increases were affecting markets beyond Nigeria. Representing the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Felicia Udeh urged the new association leadership to promote unity, transparency, accountability and inclusiveness.
She said the government was willing to work with the association through policies and other support within its mandate, but warned against internal divisions. NFAN leaders said stronger cooperation among farmers, government agencies and other stakeholders would be needed to increase production, improve livelihoods and support food security.
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