The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to accelerate national fish production and bridge Nigeria’s estimated 2.2 million metric tonnes supply gap through a coordinated policy roadmap.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day Roundtable Discussion on Accelerating National Fish Production in Lagos, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, described the collaboration as a crucial step in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food security, job creation, and economic diversification.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, the Minister explained that the roundtable aims to develop a National Fish Production Acceleration Roadmap to guide strategic investments and reforms in the fisheries and aquaculture subsector. He added that new policy and legal instruments, including the Fisheries Bill and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, are being developed to enhance sustainability, productivity, and governance in the sector.

The Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to promoting evidence-based policymaking that can drive Nigeria toward fish self-sufficiency. He assured that NIPSS would continue to work closely with the ministry to ensure that the recommendations from the roundtable are effectively translated into actionable strategies.