In a bold step to revolutionize local fish production and curb Nigeria’s staggering reliance on fish imports, the Federal Government and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have unveiled a N200 million aquaculture support scheme aimed at transforming small-scale fish farmers into key players in national food security.

Launched at the Eriwe fish farming cluster in Odogbolu, Ogun State, the initiative tagged “Scaling Fish Farming through Finance” under the FISH4ACP project is designed to unlock financial access for fish farmers, tackling a major bottleneck in Nigeria’s aquaculture sector: funding for fish feed and equipment.

With Nigeria currently importing nearly two million metric tonnes of fish annually, the intervention signals a strategic pivot toward self-sufficiency in the fisheries sector. Officials say the country’s vast inland water resources position it well to meet growing domestic fish demand if provided with the right financial and structural support.

Under the pilot phase, 40 fish farmers will each receive between N2.5 million and N5 million, empowering them to scale up their operations. The initiative not only targets higher fish yields but also seeks to create jobs, drive rural development, and open new business avenues across aquaculture value chains.

According to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the intervention reflects a shift from aid to investment in sustainable food systems, with feed-related costs being a key concern for farmers. The FAO’s representative in Nigeria added that the project, largely funded by the European Union, prioritizes resilience and economic growth by expanding access to finance.

The EU’s Programme Manager for Agriculture emphasized Nigeria’s central role in the FISH4ACP program, which spans 12 countries globally. He noted that Nigeria received the largest share of funding because of its potential to drive aquaculture development across West Africa.

As the first phase takes off, stakeholders are optimistic that this targeted investment will reel in lasting impacts for local producers and help build a more resilient, self-reliant seafood economy.