FG STRATEGIZE ON FISHERIES RESEARCH, INNOVATION DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA…As ARCN Executive Secretary Visits Oyetola 

The need for a strengthened collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Marine and blue economy and the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) to drive sustainable growth within the nation’s aquatic sector has been brought to the fore.

This became a subject for discussion as the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban pays a working visit to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, h Abuja.

Dr. Abubakar Dabban, lauded President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the creation of the Ministry and the choice of the Minister to pilot the affairs of the ministry. He describes it as a visionary step toward economic diversification. He emphasized that Nigeria’s marine biotechnology and aquaculture potential require a foundation of rigorous scientific evidence.

He said, “The creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy clearly underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s marine, coastal, and aquatic resources.”

” This initiative aligns seamlessly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration, particularly in the areas of food security, job creation, export diversification, climate resilience, and inclusive economic development.”

“Nigeria’s Blue Economy presents enormous opportunities for the development of fisheries and aquaculture subsector of the economy. From sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture expansion to marine biotechnology, coastal agriculture, climate-smart livelihoods, and youth engagement, there exists a strong convergence between research and marine resource development.”

Receiving the ARCN delegation, The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola recognizes the council’s decades of experience in managing national research systems and proposed joint initiatives focused on climate resilience, capacity building and youth and women empowerment.

Oyetola highlighted the significant structural shift in the sector, following a directive from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that supervision of all fisheries-related research institutes and colleges be reassigned from the ARCN to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The Minister also called for more research work to be done in the area of fish feed, this he said will help the sector thrive as fees has been identified as one of the challenges bedeviling the sector.

“While the supervisory responsibility for these institutes and colleges now rests with this Ministry, we recognize the experience and institutional knowledge of ARCN in managing national research systems. There remains scope for continued collaboration, particularly in areas of shared interest such as climate resilience, research coordination, capacity development, and effective extension delivery.”

“ARCN’s expertise remains vital. We seek a seamless link between research, policy, and industry application to ensure food security and sustainable resource management,” He stated,” he said

The Director of Planning Research and Statistics, Dr. Aliyu Shuaibu Madugu while giving brief of what the council is doing in contributing to the sector said it has a project called FASA funded by World Fish through CORAF a body under the ECOWAS.

This project he said has facilitated collaboration with Nigerian institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), National institute for fresh water fisheries research (NIFFR), Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, (NSPRI).

Dr. Madugu said these project will help bring out feed ingredients that will give equal value to what is being imported and once that is achieved, the cost for feed will be less expensive.

On the entourage for the visit is the Director Administration, Mrs Khalimat Balogun, ARCN, Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary, Engr. Alfa Umar, Public Relations Officer, Mrs Khadijat O. Ameen ANIPR.