The growth of the aquaculture sector offers Nigeria its best chance of reducing its USD $1 billion seafood trade deficit, as well as helping to provide vital nutrients and jobs, according to a new publication by World Fish.

With support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the comprehensive study aims to fill critical knowledge gaps and inform future investment decisions that facilitate the inclusive growth of Nigeria’s aquaculture sector.

The scoping study reviewed the current status of Nigerian aquaculture and outlined the challenges and opportunities to increase fish consumption across sub-Saharan Africa.

“The federal government appreciates and values the collaborative work between WorldFish, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development, in partnership with the Nigerian Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, to assess the contribution of fish and other aquatic foods to the people of Nigeria and to identify the bottlenecks, challenges and opportunities for this valuable resource,” said Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar.

The study concluded that, through targeted interventions and investments in supply chains, domestic fish production can be increased to sustainably enhance food, nutrition and economic security. The Fish Site