Martina Ogbonna
As Nigeria seeks to expand its footprint in the global seafood market, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has organized a capacity-building workshop for seafood farmers and dealers in Lagos, aimed at unlocking the vast investment potential in the aquaculture sector.
The one-day training, held at the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority, Oko-Oba, Agege, brought together key stakeholders in the aquaculture value chain—including farmers, processors, and suppliers—with a focus on improving standards and strategies for seafood export.
In her keynote address, the Executive Director of NEPC, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, emphasized that aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing segments of the global agricultural industry. Represented by the Council’s Deputy Director, Pastor Paul Okorie, Mrs. Ayeni noted that Nigeria is richly endowed with resources that position it as a potential global leader in seafood exports.
She said NEPC is actively supporting seafood exporters through market intelligence, certification assistance, capacity-building programmes, and quality enhancement initiatives to meet international standards.
During a technical presentation, the Deputy Director of Fisheries at the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority, Mrs. Olayinka Stevens, advised farmers to adopt good hygiene practices, avoid excessive use of antibiotics, and prioritize safety and quality in seafood production to prevent product rejection in international markets.
Some participating farmers expressed gratitude to NEPC for the training, while also calling on the Council and other regulatory bodies to address the issue of fake and substandard fish feeds, which they say threatens the integrity of their produce.
In response, NEPC pledged to carry out follow-up engagements with aquaculture clusters and other agricultural value chains across Lagos and other states. The goal, according to the Council, is to strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil export capacity and enhance foreign exchange earnings through high-quality seafood products.