FG digitises fish import licensing to boost local production

By Folarin Kehinde, Abuja

The Federal Government has approved the digitisation of Nigeria’s fish import licensing process as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, regulatory oversight and domestic fish production.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, gave the approval and directed the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to fast-track the implementation of a digital licensing platform.

The move, according to the Minister, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic diversification, food security, job creation and institutional reforms.

In a press release by his Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola described the digitisation of fish import licences as a major reform aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s fisheries sector for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.

“The digitisation of fish import licensing is a major step towards eliminating administrative bottlenecks, improving transparency and ensuring that our regulatory processes align with global best practices,” he said.

He explained that the reform would simplify procedures for genuine operators while strengthening government oversight, promoting accountability and supporting efforts to boost local fish production.

The Minister noted that the transition from manual to digital licensing would streamline application processes, minimise delays, eliminate duplication and drastically reduce human interference and administrative inefficiencies within the system.

According to him, the automated platform will also provide real-time data monitoring, enabling the Ministry to track import volumes accurately, assess supply gaps and make evidence-based policy decisions that reflect national food security priorities.

The digital system is expected to ensure that only qualified and duly registered importers are granted licences, thereby curbing illegal and unregulated fish importation, which has long undermined local aquaculture investments.

Dr. Oyetola stressed that the reform is closely linked to the Ministry’s commitment to revitalising domestic fish production.

“Nigeria has enormous potential to achieve self-sufficiency in fish production, and we must create policies that encourage investment in local aquaculture while responsibly managing importation,” he said.

“Our goal is to progressively reduce dependence on imported fish by strengthening local capacity, creating jobs and supporting Nigerian fish farmers to thrive in a more competitive and well-regulated environment,” he said.

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