Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola,

Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has made a strong case for renewed and stronger regional co-operation and increased investment in the fisheries sector as part of deliberate efforts to grow the sector not only within West and Central African region but also across the African continent.

Speaking at the National Fisheries Investment Conference held between March 30- 31, in Monrovia, Liberia, the Minister, who doubles as Chairman of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea FCWC, noted that the gathering was timely, as it provided an important platform to unlock the vast potential in fisheries and the wider blue economy.

“This conference comes at a critical time for our region, as the fisheries sector remains central to food security, employment and economic growth”, the Minister said.

The conference was declared open by Liberia’s President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and was attended by Ministers responsible for fisheries and aquaculture from across the sub-region.

He further noted that 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. He however regretted that the sector continues to face serious challenges despite it strategic importance to the region.

“Despite our rich marine and inland water resources, the sector continues to face significant challenges comprising but not limited to declining fish stocks, weak infrastructure, and limited access to finance and modern technology.

“Addressing these challenges requires a clear focus on sustainability, investment and regional collaboration and without proper management of marine and inland resources, long-term gains would be impossible.

“Our oceans, rivers, and coastal ecosystems must be carefully managed, without sustainability, long-term benefits cannot be achieved”, according to a statement signed by Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Dr. Bolaji Akinola.

He however assured that the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is repositioning fisheries and aquaculture, which remains one of the key drivers of the blue economy. He explained that policies aimed at boosting local production, reducing imports and strengthening regulation are already delivering results, including continued access to international markets for shrimp exports.

He also highlighted broader reforms in Nigeria’s blue economy, including actions to tackle marine pollution, improve port infrastructure and enhance maritime security. According to him, the country’s recent record of zero piracy incidents has helped improve investor confidence in the Gulf of Guinea.

On investment, the minister called for greater funding across the entire fisheries value chain, including aquaculture, processing, cold-chain logistics and export development. He noted that with the right policies in place, the sector could generate jobs, particularly for young people, and contribute significantly to economic growth.

He also underscored the importance of regional co-operation, pointing out that fish stocks cut across national boundaries.

“No single country can tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing alone,” he said, adding that stronger collaboration through regional bodies such as the FCWC is essential.

In his role as Chairman of the FCWC Ministerial Committee, Oyetola reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening joint efforts in fisheries governance. He highlighted ongoing initiatives, including a regional record of fishing vessels, coordinated patrols and information-sharing systems aimed at improving enforcement and sustainability.

The minister further disclosed that the FCWC is working to harmonise fisheries policies among member states to promote trade within the region, which is in line with efforts improve the value chain and ultimately attract more investment to the sector.