Nigeria may stop fish importation in 2022, following Federal Government’s effort to encourage local production.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, made this known while receiving a delegation from the National Fish Association of Nigeria (NFAN) led by its National President, Dr Gabriel Ogunsanya, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
“Time has come for Nigeria to look inward to tap into the huge potential in fisheries and aquaculture for local consumption and export.
“Measures are already being put in place by government to actualize the plan.
“This is an area that we can join hands to promote fish production. We have to seriously reduce importation of fish into the country.
“Last year, we issued about one million licences. This year, I virtually cut it into half.
The Minister assured the association of the government’s readiness to assist where necessary to move the industry forward.
Earlier in his remarks, President of the National Fish Association of Nigeria (NFAN), Dr Gabriel Ogunsanya, while commending the Minister for his commitment to moving agriculture to the next level, called for assistance in some areas.
He urged the Minister to involve members of the association in training programmes of the ministry and other relevant agencies:
The NFAN President equally urged the Minister to direct research institutes to embark on demand driven researches to benefit the entire industry.
He also called for measures to be put in place to support commercial fish production from along the value chain for both local and export markets.
Ogunsanya also urged the Minister to involve the association in the policy formulations for the fish industry, while calling for establishment of a liaison office space to ensure closeness to the mother ministry and smooth interface with the management.
On the gains of the association so far, the NFAN President said, it had made some progress in the last few years:
“The National Fish Association of Nigeria is the umbrella body for all fisheries and aquaculture industry value chain in Nigeria.
“It has the mandate and responsibility of bringing together every farmer and industry operator groups to obtain or share useful business information and training.
