Nigeria

Country Profile

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with an estimated 224 million people, produces around 1.2 million metric tons of fish annually, 90% of which is consumed domestically. Despite this, annual per capita fish consumption is 11.3 kg, far below the global average of 21 kg. With almost six in ten households experiencing food insecurity, Nigeria spends USD 1 billion a year on fish imports, accounting for 45% of its supply.

WorldFish’s Support

Since 2019, WorldFish has been enhancing aquaculture productivity, supporting 350,000 producer households with higher-performing fish breeds, aquatic animal feed, and best aquaculture practices. In 2022, WorldFish transferred 60,000 Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) fry to Premium Aquaculture Ltd, marking a significant milestone in decentralized GIFT seed supply.

Key Initiatives

Training & Research: Supporting 350,000 households with improved fish breeds and management practices.
Nourishing Nations: Training fish processors in safe handling, solar drying, and business development.
Lean Management Training: Reducing waste and improving efficiency for hundreds of fish farmers.
Sustainable Feeds: Developing low-cost, nutritious fish feeds for 5,000 smallholder farmers as part of The Development and Scaling of Sustainable Feeds for Resilient Aquatic Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (FASA) project in Nigeria, Zambia, and Kenya.

Fast Facts

Per capita fish consumption: 11.3 kg/year
1.5 million fishers
2% of national GDP from aquaculture and fisheries
94 million hectares used for fishery production
190,000 people exited poverty through gender-inclusive livelihoods
120,000 people no longer suffer from micronutrient deficiencies

Enabling Impact

WorldFish's comprehensive study (2019-2020), supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, identified opportunities to increase fish production for food and nutrition security. Initiatives like the Fish Innovation Lab and Lean Management Training have significantly improved efficiency and sustainability in Nigerian aquaculture.

Moving Forward

The Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) project, launched in 2024, aims to transform aquatic food systems in Africa and Asia, including Nigeria. By promoting climate-smart aquaculture models, AABS seeks to improve livelihoods, preserve biodiversity, and support climate resilience.