Listen to story here
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has approved the digitisation of Nigeria’s fish import licensing process in a major policy move aimed at strengthening transparency, efficiency and regulatory oversight in the fisheries sector.
The Minister has directed the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to fast-track the implementation of the digital platform, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising marine administration and enhancing domestic fish production.
The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic diversification, food security, job creation and institutional reform.
Oyetola described the reform as a strategic intervention to reposition Nigeria’s fisheries industry for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
“The digitisation of fish import licensing will eliminate administrative bottlenecks, improve transparency and align regulatory processes with international best practices,” the Minister said.
He added that the reform would simplify procedures for genuine operators, strengthen government oversight, promote accountability and support efforts to boost local fish production.
The policy forms part of the Ministry’s broader reform agenda to deploy technology-driven solutions that improve governance, reduce bureaucracy and enhance efficiency across the fisheries value chain.
The shift from manual to digital licensing is expected to streamline applications, cut processing time, eliminate duplication and significantly reduce human interference and administrative inefficiencies.
When fully deployed, the digital system will provide real-time data for monitoring fish import volumes, assessing supply gaps and guiding evidence-based policy decisions. This will enable the Ministry to regulate importation in line with national food security priorities while protecting local producers from unfair competition.
The platform will also strengthen regulatory compliance by ensuring that only duly registered and qualified operators are granted licences, thereby curbing illegal and unregulated importation that undermines local aquaculture investment.
Dr Oyetola reaffirmed that the reform is central to the Ministry’s drive to revitalise domestic production.
“Nigeria has the capacity to achieve self-sufficiency in fish production. Our focus is to encourage local investment, create jobs and support Nigerian fish farmers within a well-regulated and competitive environment,” he said.
Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest consumers of fish, with demand far exceeding local supply. The Minister has consistently stressed the need to close this gap through strategic aquaculture investment, improved fisheries management and supportive policies.
The digitisation of fish import licensing is expected to play a critical role in achieving this goal by ensuring that importation complements, rather than undermines, domestic production.
