Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for deeper regional collaboration and accelerated investment in fisheries across West and Central Africa, warning that the sector’s vast potential remains undercut by structural weaknesses.
Speaking in Monrovia at the National Fisheries Investment Conference, the minister said the subregion must act collectively to unlock opportunities within the blue economy and safeguard livelihoods tied to marine resources.
The conference, declared open by Liberia’s President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, drew ministers and stakeholders from across the West Central Gulf of Guinea, underscoring growing regional urgency around fisheries sustainability.
L-R: Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and Chairman, Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON; Director General, National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority Liberia, J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr. and Liberia’s President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai at the National Fisheries Investment Conference held in Monrovia, Liberia, on Monday.
Oyetola described the summit as coming at a critical moment, noting that fisheries and aquaculture remain central to food security, employment and economic stability in the region.
He stressed that millions depend on the sector for survival, while fish continues to serve as one of the most affordable protein sources, particularly among low-income populations.
Despite these advantages, he warned that declining fish stocks, poor infrastructure and limited access to finance and modern technology continue to constrain growth and productivity.
The minister insisted that sustainability must underpin all interventions, cautioning that unregulated exploitation of marine and inland resources would erode long-term economic gains.
He disclosed that Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is repositioning fisheries and aquaculture through reforms aimed at boosting local production, reducing imports and strengthening regulatory frameworks.
According to him, broader efforts to curb marine pollution, upgrade port infrastructure and enhance maritime security have begun to yield results, with improved investor confidence linked to the country’s zero piracy record in recent times.
Oyetola also pushed for increased investment across the fisheries value chain, from aquaculture and processing to cold-chain logistics and exports, while urging stronger regional coordination to combat illegal fishing, noting that shared marine resources demand collective governance.