By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing fisheries research and innovation as part of efforts to unlock the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s marine and aquatic resources, with renewed emphasis on inter-agency collaboration within the blue economy sector.
This came to the fore during a working visit by the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, in Abuja. The development was disclosed in an official signed statement by the Public Relations Officer to the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Mrs. Khadijat O. Ameen.
During the visit, both parties underscored the need for strengthened collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the ARCN to drive sustainable growth, innovation and evidence-based development within Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture subsectors.
Dr. Dabban commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a visionary step towards economic diversification. He also praised the choice of Dr. Oyetola to pilot the affairs of the Ministry, noting that the sector requires strong leadership and a solid foundation of scientific research to thrive.
According to him, the establishment of the Ministry clearly demonstrates the Federal Government’s resolve to unlock the economic value of Nigeria’s marine, coastal and aquatic resources. He said the initiative aligns seamlessly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration, particularly in the areas of food security, job creation, export diversification, climate resilience and inclusive economic development.
Dr. Dabban noted that Nigeria’s blue economy presents enormous opportunities for the development of the fisheries and aquaculture subsector, ranging from sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture expansion to marine biotechnology, coastal agriculture, climate-smart livelihoods and youth engagement. He stressed that there is a strong convergence between research and marine resource development, which must be deliberately harnessed.
Receiving the ARCN delegation, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, acknowledged the Council’s decades of experience in managing national research systems and proposed joint initiatives focused on climate resilience, capacity building, as well as youth and women empowerment.
The Minister highlighted a significant structural shift in the sector, following a directive from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which reassigned supervisory responsibility for all fisheries-related research institutes and colleges from the ARCN to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. He, however, emphasized that the change does not diminish the relevance of ARCN’s expertise.
Oyetola called for intensified research in fish feed development, noting that the high cost of feed remains one of the major challenges confronting the sector. He stressed that addressing this issue would significantly boost productivity and sustainability within the fisheries value chain.
“While the supervisory responsibility for these institutes and colleges now rests with this Ministry, we recognize the experience and institutional knowledge of ARCN in managing national research systems. There remains scope for continued collaboration, particularly in areas of shared interest such as climate resilience, research coordination, capacity development, and effective extension delivery,” the Minister said.
He added that ARCN’s expertise remains vital, stressing the need for a seamless link between research, policy and industry application to ensure food security and sustainable resource management.
Earlier, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at ARCN, Dr. Aliyu Shuaibu Madugu, briefed the Minister on the Council’s ongoing contributions to the sector, including the Fisheries and Aquaculture Scaling Activity (FASA) project, funded by WorldFish through CORAF, an ECOWAS body.
Dr. Madugu explained that the project has facilitated collaboration with key institutions such as the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), and the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI). He noted that the initiative is aimed at developing local fish feed ingredients that can match imported alternatives in quality, thereby reducing production costs and boosting local capacity.
The ARCN delegation to the Ministry included the Director of Administration, Mrs. Khalimat Balogun; Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary, Engr. Alfa Umar; and the Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Khadijat O. Ameen, ANIPR.
