The Federal Government is intensifying efforts to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s aquatic resources through a strengthened partnership between the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The development followed a working visit by the ARCN Executive Secretary, Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, in Abuja. The meeting focused on strategies to advance fisheries research, aquaculture innovation, and sustainable management of Nigeria’s marine and coastal resources.
Dr. Dabban commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Ministry and appointing Dr. Oyetola, described it as a visionary step toward economic diversification. He highlighted the need for rigorous scientific research to drive growth in Nigeria’s marine biotechnology and aquaculture sectors.
“The creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy underscores the government’s commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s vast marine, coastal, and aquatic resources,” Dr. Dabban said. “There is a strong convergence between research and marine resource development, particularly in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture expansion, marine biotechnology, coastal agriculture, and youth engagement.”
Minister Oyetola welcomed the collaboration, noted ARCN’s decades of experience in managing national research systems. He highlighted a recent structural shift that transferred supervision of fisheries-related research institutes and colleges from ARCN to the Ministry, while emphasizing the continued need for research, especially in developing affordable fish feed to address one of the sector’s key challenges.
“ARCN’s expertise remains vital. We aim to create a seamless link between research, policy, and industry application to ensure food security and sustainable resource management,” the Minister said.
The Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at ARCN, Dr. Aliyu Shuaibu Madugu, briefed the Minister on ongoing initiatives, including the FASA project funded by WorldFish through CORAF under ECOWAS. The project facilitates collaboration with the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), and Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI). It aims to develop locally sourced fish feed ingredients comparable to imported alternatives, significantly reducing costs and boosting sector competitiveness.
The ARCN delegation included the Director of Administration, Mrs. Khalimat Balogun; Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary, Engr. Alfa Umar; and the Council’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Khadijat O. Ameen, ANIPR.
