By Seun Ibiyemi
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for enhanced regional cooperation and increased investment in the fisheries sector across West and Central Africa.
Oyetola made the call on Monday while speaking at the National Fisheries Investment Conference held in Monrovia, an event declared open by Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and attended by ministers responsible for fisheries and aquaculture from across the subregion.
Describing the conference as timely, the minister said it offered a crucial platform to unlock opportunities in fisheries and the broader blue economy.
He noted that the sector remains vital to food security, employment, and economic growth across the region.
“Millions of people across West and Central Africa depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods, while fish remains one of the most affordable sources of protein,” Oyetola said.
However, he warned that the sector continues to face major challenges, including declining fish stocks, weak infrastructure, and limited access to finance and modern technology.
The minister stressed the need for sustainability, noting that proper management of marine and inland water resources is essential for long-term benefits.
“Our oceans, rivers, and coastal ecosystems must be carefully managed… without sustainability, long-term benefits cannot be achieved,” he said.
Oyetola highlighted ongoing reforms by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at repositioning fisheries and aquaculture as key drivers of the blue economy.
He said efforts to boost local production, reduce imports, and strengthen regulation are already yielding results, including sustained access to international markets for shrimp exports.
He also pointed to broader improvements in Nigeria’s maritime sector, including measures to tackle marine pollution, upgrade port infrastructure, and enhance security.
According to him, the country’s recent record of zero piracy incidents has boosted investor confidence in the Gulf of Guinea.
On investment, Oyetola called for increased funding across the fisheries value chain, including aquaculture, processing, cold-chain logistics, and export development.
He said the sector holds significant potential for job creation, particularly for young people.
The minister further underscored the importance of regional collaboration, noting that fish stocks cut across national boundaries and require joint management.
“No single country can tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing alone,” he said, adding that stronger collaboration through the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea is critical.
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As Chairman of the FCWC Ministerial Committee, Oyetola reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening fisheries governance through initiatives such as a regional register of fishing vessels, coordinated patrols, and information-sharing systems.
He added that efforts are ongoing to harmonise fisheries policies among member states and promote intra-regional trade, with the goal of improving value chains and attracting greater investment into the sector.
