Oyetola urges investment across fisheries value Chain in West Africa

Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has called for increased investment across the fisheries value chain in West Africa, stressing that the sector holds significant potential for economic growth, job creation, and food security.

 

 

Oyetola made the call on Monday in Monrovia, Liberia, while speaking at the National Fisheries Investment Conference held from March 30 to 31, 2026. The event, declared open by Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Liberia’s President, brought together ministers responsible for fisheries and aquaculture from across the West and Central African subregion.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Bolaji Akinola, his Special Adviser, the minister described the conference as timely, noting that it provided a critical platform to unlock opportunities within the fisheries sector and the broader blue economy.

 

“This conference comes at a critical time for our region,” Oyetola said. He added that fisheries and aquaculture remain central to livelihoods, employment, and nutrition across the region. He noted that millions depend on the sector for income, while fish remains one of the most affordable sources of protein.

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Despite the sector’s importance, Oyetola warned that it continues to face major constraints, including declining fish stocks, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to finance and modern technology.

 

 

“Despite our rich marine and inland water resources, the sector continues to face significant challenges,” he said.

 

 

The minister emphasised that sustainable management of marine and inland resources must be prioritised to ensure long-term benefits. According to him, investment without sustainability would undermine future gains.

 

 

“Our oceans, rivers, and coastal ecosystems must be carefully managed. Without sustainability, long-term benefits cannot be achieved,” he stated.

 

 

He further highlighted efforts by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition fisheries and aquaculture as key pillars of Nigeria’s blue economy. These efforts, he said, include policies aimed at boosting local production, reducing fish imports, and strengthening regulatory frameworks.

 

 

Oyetola noted that ongoing reforms have helped sustain Nigeria’s access to international markets, particularly for shrimp exports, while broader initiatives are targeting marine pollution, port infrastructure, and maritime security.

 

 

He added that Nigeria’s recent record of zero piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea has contributed to improved investor confidence in the region.

 

 

On the need for greater investment, the minister urged stakeholders to channel funding into all segments of the fisheries value chain, including aquaculture production, processing, cold-chain logistics, and export development.

 

 

“With the right policies and investments, the fisheries sector can create jobs, especially for young people, and contribute significantly to economic growth,” he said.

 

 

Oyetola also underscored the importance of regional collaboration, noting that fish stocks transcend national boundaries and require coordinated management.

 

 

“No single country can tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing alone,” he said. He stressed the need for stronger cooperation among countries in the subregion.

 

 

In his capacity as Chairman of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, he reaffirmed the commitment of member states to joint fisheries governance.

 

 

He pointed to ongoing initiatives such as a regional register of fishing vessels, coordinated patrols, and information-sharing systems aimed at improving enforcement and sustainability.

 

 

He added that efforts are also underway to harmonise fisheries policies across countries and promote intra-regional trade, with the goal of strengthening value chains and attracting more investment into the sector.