The Federal Government has secured a $200 million commitment from the World Bank Group to accelerate the expansion of fisheries and aquaculture production nationwide.

The funds, to be made available to state governments as concessional loans, will help states build capacity, attract investment, increase domestic fish output, and close Nigeria’s growing fish supply gap.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, renewed the call for stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, investors, and development partners to cut reliance on imported fish and improve national food security.

His position was delivered by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, who represented him at a high-level Executive Training on the Aquaculture Investment Guide. The training was organised in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in partnership with the World Bank Group.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Dr Bolaji Akinola, the programme was designed to equip state-level decision-makers with the skills needed to turn investment opportunities into bankable aquaculture projects. Focus areas included viable business models, risk management, environmental and social safeguards, and public-private partnerships.

Speaking through his representative, Oyetola stressed that Nigeria can only achieve fish sufficiency through deliberate action at the sub-national level, and that states must take greater responsibility for expanding domestic production.