The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has highlighted the strong synergy between agriculture and Nigeria’s blue economy, emphasizing their collective role in advancing food security, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.
Speaking through the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, during a visit by participants of the Senior Executive Course 47, 2025 from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Senator Kyari noted the vital contributions of aquaculture, inland fisheries, irrigated agriculture, and wetland management—especially in supporting the livelihoods of coastal and rural communities.
“Nigeria’s expansive inland waterways and coastal zones offer immense potential for improving nutrition, expanding food production, and empowering rural populations,” Kyari said. “Aquaculture is now one of the fastest-growing sources of animal protein globally, and our country is well-positioned to benefit from this trend.”
He described the theme of the NIPSS course, “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities,” as highly relevant to the Ministry’s goals. He also underscored the need for sustainable water resource management and the integration of blue economy principles into national agricultural policies to help meet key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including zero hunger, poverty alleviation, and economic growth.
While acknowledging existing challenges—such as pollution, insufficient investment, and the impact of climate change—Kyari affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to embrace innovation and partnerships to advance the sector.
In his remarks, NIPSS Director General, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, praised the Ministry’s initiatives and called on Nigerians to better appreciate the role of farmers, recognizing their sacrifices and the critical need for broader societal involvement in food production.
The event also featured the presentation of the National Agricultural Policy Document and an interactive Q&A session.
