Lagos Invests ₦10bn in Fish Farming as China Pledges to Buy More Nigerian Seafood

News in brief:

-With a zero-tariff policy on African seafood, Nigeria is set to benefit from increased exports of farmed fish, creating new income opportunities for farmers. -Lagos State’s ₦10 billion Aquaculture Centre of Excellence will produce fingerlings, fish feed, and table fish, strengthening local food security and reducing production costs.

Nigeria’s aquaculture sector is attracting fresh international attention, as China has pledged to increase imports of Nigerian farmed fish under new export agreements. The development, which comes on the heels of China’s zero-tariff policy for African seafood, could create new opportunities for Nigerian farmers and boost the country’s food security drive.

China Opens Its Market to African Seafood

During a recent meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, confirmed that protocols were being prepared to allow Nigerian aquaculture products into the Chinese market.

The pledge follows China’s July announcement of a zero-tariff policy for seafood imports from Africa, a move that has already opened the door for exporters across the continent. For Nigerian fish farmers, this could mean better prices and wider access to one of the world’s largest seafood markets.

Lagos Leads with ₦10 Billion Aquaculture Project

Nigeria is currently making strategic investments to strengthen its fish production. In May, the Lagos State Government launched construction of the Lagos Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE) in Epe. The ₦10 billion project is expected to produce:

• Over 50 million fingerlings annually supplied to fish farmers nationwide.
• More than 2,000 metric tons of table fish each year, mainly catfish, which dominate Nigerian aquaculture.
• About 24,000 metric tons of fish feed, reducing shortages and cutting feed costs for farmers.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the centre would create jobs, increase domestic fish supply, and help reduce Nigeria’s reliance on fish imports.

What This Means for Nigerian Farmers

For Nigerian farmers, especially small-scale fish farmers, these developments could be transformative:

• Export potential: With China opening its market, farmers who meet health and quality standards could tap into global trade.
• Cheaper fish feed: Local feed production at LACE may help reduce one of the biggest costs in aquaculture.
• Food security and jobs: Increased production of fish fingerlings and table fish will support Nigeria’s protein needs and provide livelihoods for thousands.

However, experts warn that Nigeria must improve cold-chain infrastructure, certification systems, and processing facilities to fully benefit from these opportunities.