Fish is an important part of the household diet in Nigeria, which is the most populous country in Africa. Fish accounts for around 40 percent of the countrys protein intake, with fish consumption at 13.3 kg/person/per year.

Total fish production per year is close to 1 million metric tons (313,231 metric tons from aquaculture and 759,828 metric tons from fisheries). The majority of this fish is consumed domestically, while around 10 percent is exported.

Around 94 million hectares are used for fishery production, according to the FAO, and 1,477,651 people work as fishers.

WorldFish in Nigeria

Fish is an important part of the household diet in Nigeria, which is the most populous country in Africa. It accounts for around 40 percent of the country’s protein intake, with fish consumption at 13.3 kg/person/per year.

Total fish production per year is close to 1 million metric tons (313,231 metric tons from aquaculture and 759,828 metric tons from fisheries). The majority of this fish is consumed domestically, while around 10 percent is exported.

Around 94 million hectares are used for fishery production, according to the FAO, and 1,477,651 people work as fishers.

WorldFish has a long history of working in Africa, including in nearby Ghana and Cameroon, to strengthen the continent’s aquaculture sector by conducting research and providing training. We aim to harness this experience, combined with our expertise in fish genetics, to boost aquaculture productivity and enhance nutrition and food security in Nigeria.

Current Priorities / Initiatives

  • Genetic improvement: Dissemination of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) and improved catfish strains
  • Researching fish feed and health
  • Influencing youth and gender policies to increase women and youth participation and benefits derived from aquaculture and aquaculture-related activities
  • Promoting consumption of fish by pregnant and lactating women, and by infants; and reducing postharvest waste and loss in fish value chains
  • Integrating and enhancing the role of fish in domestic and regional trade

Anticipated Impacts (by 2022)

  • 0.35M producer households adopt improved breeds, aquafeeds, fish health and aquaculture and fisheries management practices
  • 0.19M people, of which at least 50 percent are women, are assisted to exit poverty through livelihood improvements related to fisheries and aquaculture value chains
  • 0.12M people, of which 50 percent are women, are without deficiencies of one or more of the following essential micronutrients: iron, zinc, iodine, vitamin A, folate and B12
  • 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and 10 percent increase in water and nutrient use efficiency in 0.20 million tons of fish per annum
  • 0.13M more women of reproductive age are consuming an adequate number of food groups
  • 0.11M hectares of ecosystems restored through more productive and equitable management of small-scale fisheries resources and restoration of degraded aquaculture ponds