By Joy Enamuna
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and called for stronger regional collaboration and increased investment to address challenges confronting the fisheries sector in West and Central Africa.
Oyetola made the appeal in Monrovia, Liberia, on Monday during a fisheries investment conference, according to a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola.
The minister, who also chairs the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, described the meeting as timely, noting that it offered a platform to unlock opportunities within the fisheries and blue economy sectors.
He stressed that fisheries and aquaculture remain critical to food security, job creation, and economic growth, with millions across the region relying on the sector for their livelihoods.
Oyetola, however, warned that despite abundant marine resources, the sector continues to face setbacks, including declining fish stocks, poor infrastructure, and limited access to finance and modern technology.
He emphasised that sustainable management of oceans, rivers, and coastal ecosystems was essential, adding that long-term benefits would be difficult to achieve without proper regulation and conservation efforts.
The minister noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was repositioning fisheries and aquaculture to drive economic growth, with reforms already boosting local production and sustaining international market access for seafood exports.
He further called for increased funding across the fisheries value chain and stronger regional cooperation to tackle illegal fishing, stressing that no single country could address the challenge alone.
Discover more from Trace News Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
