The Federal Government of Nigeria is partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Food for Progress Programme to strengthen productivity, resilience and sustainability across Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, as reported by ChannelsTv. The partnership was discussed in Abuja when the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, received a delegation from Partners of the Americas, the programme’s implementing partner in Nigeria. The Ministry pledged policy guidance, institutional support and coordination to facilitate implementation.
The programme is designed to address key constraints across the fisheries and aquaculture value chain, including access to quality inputs and finance, productivity, market systems and private sector participation. Partners of the Americas, led by Gustavo Galdo, said baseline studies are already underway to identify gaps and guide targeted interventions. The programme is also expected to support improved livelihoods, greater access to protein and more resilient food systems.
The partnership carries significant economic and food security implications for Nigeria, where strengthening domestic fish production can create opportunities for fishers, aquaculture operators, processors, marketers and other businesses across the value chain. For investors and private sector participants, improved access to finance, inputs and markets could support greater commercial activity and help address productivity constraints within the sector. The initiative also aligns with Nigeria’s broader efforts to develop its blue economy and diversify sources of economic growth.
Looking ahead, the findings from the ongoing baseline studies are expected to guide the programme’s interventions and determine where support can deliver the greatest impact. Continued coordination between the Federal Government, USDA, Partners of the Americas and industry stakeholders will be critical to translating the partnership into higher productivity, stronger market access and more sustainable growth across Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture industry.
