Ministries partner to boost fish production, others

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, have pledged to collaborate to increase fish production by leveraging Nigeria’s vast water resources. Speaking at a meeting recently, Oyetola emphasised that leveraging the country’s water resources, with a coastline stretching approximately 870 km and nearly […]

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, have pledged to collaborate to increase fish production by leveraging Nigeria’s vast water resources.

Speaking at a meeting recently, Oyetola emphasised that leveraging the country’s water resources, with a coastline stretching approximately 870 km and nearly 3,000 km of inland waterways, will further ensure sustainable food production and economic growth.

The Minister also noted the role of the ministry in driving sustainable water management for healthy ecosystems and pollution prevention, while calling for more public and private sector collaboration to harness Nigeria’s blue economy for sustainable national development.

“The initiative is a direct response to President Tinubu’s call for innovative strategies to enhance food production, create jobs, and unlock the full potential of our blue economy. Our Ministry is fully committed to working with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to deliver on this vision,” Oyetola said.

Blue economy key to Nigeria’s economic prosperity –Oyetola

Reps summon Oyetola, Alkali, NPA, BPE over expired seaports concessions

With this collaboration, he said the federal government aims to replicate the Oyan Dam Cage Culture Model nationwide, following its approval by the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation. Large dam reservoirs such as Gurara, Kashimbilla, Shagari, Dadinkowa, Tiga, Ikere Gorge, and others have been identified for aquaculture expansion.

To drive the implementation, Oyetola proposed the creation of a Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) to conduct feasibility studies, define technical requirements, and oversee project planning. He also hinted at an official visit to Oyan Dam to assess best practices involved in cage culture aquaculture and ensure seamless nationwide adoption.

While acknowledging the critical role the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation plays in sustainable water management, Oyetola emphasized that the inter-ministerial collaboration was vital for Nigeria’s economic diversification and addressing food insecurity, with a target of making substantial progress by mid-2025 with support from the ministry.

Responding, Utsev acknowledged the importance of the proposed collaboration, noting that one of the key mandates of his ministry was to enhance food production, while creating job opportunities, particularly for women and youth.

Utsev thanked Oyetola for his support, and assured that the Joint Technical Committee of both Ministries will effectively collaborate to ensure the development and implementation of a comprehensive framework and roadmap to achieve the objectives of the collaboration.

Also present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretaries; (Water Resources and Sanitation), Richard Pheelangwah, and (Marine and Blue Economy), Michael Oloruntola, among other directors of Fisheries and Aquaculture and senior officials from both ministries.