Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for stronger regional cooperation and increased investment in the fisheries sector across West and Central Africa, warning that the region risks losing critical economic and food security benefits without urgent, coordinated action.
Mr Oyetola made the call in Monrovia during the National Fisheries Investment Conference held from March 30 to March 31, where stakeholders gathered to explore opportunities within the fisheries and blue economy value chain. The event was declared open by Liberia’s President, Joseph Boakai, and drew participation from ministers overseeing fisheries and aquaculture across the subregion.
Describing the conference as timely, the minister said it offered a crucial platform to unlock the vast but underutilised potential of fisheries in the West Central Gulf of Guinea, a region he chairs through its fisheries committee. He emphasised that the sector remains central to food security, employment and economic stability, with millions of people depending on it for their livelihoods.
According to him, fish continues to serve as one of the most affordable and accessible sources of protein across the region, reinforcing the need to prioritise its sustainability and growth. However, he warned that despite abundant marine and inland water resources, the sector faces mounting pressures that threaten its long-term viability.
Mr Oyetola identified declining fish stocks, weak infrastructure, and limited access to finance and modern technology as major constraints slowing down growth and productivity. He stressed that without deliberate investment and stronger regional alignment, the fisheries sector may struggle to meet rising demand and economic expectations.
He underscored the importance of sustainability, noting that effective management of oceans, rivers and coastal ecosystems is essential to securing long-term gains. According to him, poor regulation and overexploitation could undermine the region’s ability to fully benefit from its aquatic resources.
The minister further linked Nigeria’s domestic reforms to broader regional ambitions, stating that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is repositioning fisheries and aquaculture as key pillars of the blue economy. He noted that policies aimed at boosting local production, reducing imports and strengthening regulatory frameworks are already yielding measurable outcomes, including sustained access to international markets for shrimp exports.
Beyond fisheries, Mr Oyetola highlighted wider reforms within Nigeria’s maritime space, including efforts to tackle marine pollution, upgrade port infrastructure and improve maritime security. He pointed to the recent record of zero piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea as a major confidence booster for investors and international partners.
On the issue of investment, he called for increased funding across the entire fisheries value chain, from aquaculture and processing to cold-chain logistics and export development. He maintained that with the right mix of policy support and capital injection, the sector holds significant potential to generate employment, particularly for young people, while contributing meaningfully to economic growth.
Mr Oyetola also stressed that regional cooperation is not optional but necessary, given that fish stocks naturally transcend national boundaries. He said fragmented policies and weak coordination among countries have historically limited the effectiveness of fisheries management in the region.
In his capacity as chairman of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, he reaffirmed the body’s commitment to strengthening joint governance mechanisms. He highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the development of a regional record of fishing vessels, coordinated maritime patrols and enhanced information-sharing systems designed to improve enforcement and sustainability.
He added that efforts are underway to harmonise fisheries policies among member states and promote intra-regional trade, with the broader aim of strengthening value chains, improving productivity and attracting both local and foreign investment into the sector.
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