Author(s): Alhassan Abdullahi, Xiaowei Li, Jiyan He, Changyou Song, Desmond Chinedu and Hongxia Li

Abstract: Nigeria Stands as the top of fish production in sub-Saharan Africa and the second on the list in the entire continent, the leading nation in African catfish production (Clarias gariepinus) and African bonytongue (Heterotis niloticus). Departments of fisheries in Nigeria accounted for 1.16% to the national GDP in 2021 but decline to 0.47% 2022. Nigeria’s blue economy therefore remains one of the country’s pivotal sub-sectors, with maritime trade contributing 1.6% and fisheries contributing 3-4% to the GDP. However, despite the listed progress above, Nigeria is still lacking in so many aspects, ranging from lack of technology to properly manage fisheries diseases, safety management system and the availability of cost-effective commercial feed pellets, to the bad road network system and infrastructure. Unfortunately, according to the statistical report of fish deficit value, the imported frozen fish have exceeded 2.5 million tones, which have cost the country over 625 million USDT. Recently, countermeasures such as expansion of fish farms, improved broodstock management, and the adoption of sustainable aquaculture practices, such as integrated fish farming and feed optimization are still ongoing as a rescue mission to enhance productivity. The federal government of Nigeria under renew hope have taken another step in 2025 to improve the fisheries department. Hence, separate the sector from ministry of agriculture to blue economy. Despite these strides, challenges such as inadequate funding, weak enforcement of fisheries regulations, environmental degradation, and climate change persist. Strengthening value chains, improving access to finance, and promoting technological innovation are critical for scaling up production and closing the supply-demand gap. This paper highlights the progress made, the challenges faced, and opportunities for further development in Nigeria's fisheries and aquaculture industry.

DOI: 10.22271/fish.2025.v13.i6a.3177

Pages: 45-54  |  310 Views  227 Downloads

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