Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for stronger regional co-operation and increased investment in the fisheries sector across West and Central Africa.
Oyetola who is also the Chairman of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea made the call in Monrovia, Liberia at the National Fisheries Investment Conference.
Describing the gathering as timely, Oyetola said it provided an important platform to unlock opportunities in fisheries and the wider blue economy.
The minister in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Bolaji Akinola noted that the conference came at a critical time for the region, stating that the sector remains central to food security, employment and economic growth.
According to him, Millions of people across West and Central Africa depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods, while fish remains one of the most affordable sources of protein. However, he warned that the sector continues to face serious challenges.
“Despite our rich marine and inland water resources, the sector continues to face significant challenges — declining fish stocks, weak infrastructure, and limited access to finance and modern technology.”
Oyetola emphasised that addressing these challenges requires a clear focus on sustainability, investment and regional collaboration.
He stressed that without proper management of marine and inland resources, long-term gains would be impossible.
“Our oceans, rivers, and coastal ecosystems must be carefully managed… without sustainability, long-term benefits cannot be achieved,” he stated.
On investment, the minister called for greater funding across the entire fisheries value chain, including aquaculture, processing, cold-chain logistics and export development.
He noted that with the right policies in place, the sector could generate jobs, particularly for young people, and contribute significantly to economic growth.