New platform to tighten import oversight, reduce bottlenecks and strengthen domestic fish production…..
The Federal Government has approved the introduction of a digital system for fish import licensing as part of efforts to improve regulation and support local aquaculture production in Nigeria.
The disclosure was contained in a statement issued Tuesday by Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.
The reform, approved by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is part of a broader push to modernise fisheries administration, enhance transparency and strengthen domestic fish production.
The digitisation is expected to streamline regulatory processes, reduce administrative delays and improve oversight of fish imports, while supporting local producers.
What they are saying
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy described the digital licensing reform as a major step toward efficient fisheries management and improved transparency.
“The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has approved the digitisation of Nigeria’s fish import licensing process in a landmark policy move aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency and regulatory oversight within the nation’s fisheries sector.
“The Minister has consequently directed the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to expedite action toward the swift implementation of the digital platform, signalling the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to modernising marine administration while strengthening domestic fish production capacity,” the statement said.
The reform is expected to eliminate bottlenecks, strengthen regulatory oversight and align Nigeria’s fish import processes with global best practices in fisheries management.
How the digital licensing system will work
The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy said the new digital platform will replace the manual licensing system, improving efficiency and regulatory control.
The system will streamline application processes, reduce delays and duplication, and limit human interference in approvals.
Only verified and registered importers will be issued licences, a move aimed at curbing illegal and unregulated fish imports.
Real-time monitoring of import volumes will enable regulators to identify supply gaps and make data-driven policy decisions.
The platform is also expected to protect local producers from unfair competition and support national food security planning.
Oyetola said the reform complements ongoing efforts to revitalise domestic fish production, attract investment in aquaculture and gradually reduce dependence on imported fish.
More insights
The Federal Government, in collaboration with development partners, has rolled out several initiatives aimed at boosting local aquaculture production.
The N200 million FAO-supported aquaculture financing initiative, launched in mid-2025, was designed to support 40 fish farmers with between N2.5 million and N5 million each to scale production.
Additional programmes are being planned to improve access to fish feed, hatcheries and technical training for aquaculture practitioners.
Partnerships with the European Union and other agencies are also focused on strengthening financing, improving productivity and increasing private sector participation across the fisheries value chain.
The digital licensing reform is expected to tighten import controls, align approvals with national food security objectives and complement broader efforts to reduce reliance on imported fish.
What you should know
Nigeria imports about two million metric tonnes of fish annually, making it one of Africa’s largest consumers of fish. Domestic production continues to fall short of demand, placing pressure on foreign exchange and exposing local farmers to strong competition from imported frozen fish.
The aquaculture sector faces persistent challenges, including high feed costs, limited access to finance, weak cold-chain infrastructure and poor distribution networks.
These constraints have slowed production growth and limited the expansion of local fish farming operations.
Nigeria’s agricultural sector grew by 3.18 percent in nominal terms in the third quarter of 2025, slightly higher than the previous quarter but 14.87 percentage points lower than the same period in 2024. Crop production remains the dominant segment, accounting for 65.99 percent of the sector’s nominal value.
The digital fish import licensing platform is expected to address some of these challenges by strengthening regulatory oversight, supporting local production and improving Nigeria’s food security outlook.
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