FG warns antibiotic misuse could undermine Nigeria’s ₦200bn aquaculture industry

The Federal Government has issued a fresh warning to fish farmers across the country, cautioning that improper antibiotic use is threatening the long-term sustainability and profitability of Nigeria’s fast-growing aquaculture sector.

Speaking at an awareness and sensitisation meeting for fish farmers and value chain operators in Karu, Abuja, Samuel Anzaku, chief veterinary officer of Nigeria (CVON), said rising Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) poses a direct economic threat to producers, with potential losses spanning reduced productivity, higher mortality, and escalating treatment costs.

Represented by George Uzoaga, director of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Anzaku noted that misuse of antimicrobials—including routine overuse, use without prescription, and inappropriate treatment—is eroding the effectiveness of essential drugs, increasing the risk of treatment failures and disease outbreaks in fish farms.

He warned that AMR is already driving up production costs as farmers are forced to turn to more expensive medicines while contending with slower growth cycles and higher losses.

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“If not addressed, AMR could cripple value chains, shrink profit margins, and place significant financial strain on operators,” he said, urging farmers to adopt evidence-based alternatives and consult professionals before administering treatments.

Nigeria’s aquaculture sector, valued at over ₦200 billion annually, has been expanding rapidly as domestic demand for fish rises and investors deepen participation in commercial production.

However, experts say growing dependence on unregulated veterinary drugs risks reversing these gains

Benedict Muyiwa, national president, Aquatic Veterinary Medicine, commended the Ministry for targeting young farmers and emerging operators with critical training, stressing that poor farm management and indiscriminate antibiotic application remain major contributors to industry-wide losses.

He said the sensitisation programme underscores the need for farmers to strengthen biosecurity, prioritise veterinary consultation, and adopt better management systems to reduce reliance on antibiotics.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development said it will continue to engage producers in efforts to curb AMR nationally, warning that unchecked resistance could escalate into a major public health and economic crisis.