Oyetola to Turkish Investors: Protect Nigeria’s Artisanal Fishers.

By Stella Okocha 

For millions of Nigerians who depend on fishing to feed their families and keep local seafood markets alive, new investment in the country’s fisheries sector could bring much-needed technology, better storage and wider markets—but the Federal Government says such investment must not come at the cost of their livelihoods.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, made the position clear on Thursday while receiving a delegation of Turkish fishing investors, CRD Impex, led by Cem Tarhan, in his office.

Oyetola said Nigeria needed fresh capital and expertise to modernise its fisheries value chain, but stressed that investors must work in ways that strengthen the country’s artisanal fishing communities rather than push them out of the industry.

«“We welcome investors who can bring capital, technology, expertise and modern value-chain solutions to the sector. However, investment must be inclusive and sustainable. It must complement and empower our artisanal fish producers, not undermine their livelihoods,” he said.»

The minister identified inadequate infrastructure, limited access to modern fishing technology, poor processing and storage facilities, weak cold-chain systems and restricted market access as some of the major challenges facing Nigeria’s artisanal fisheries.

For fishers and traders who operate with limited equipment and infrastructure, these gaps can mean lost catches, reduced income and difficulty getting their products to consumers while they are still fresh.

Oyetola said the same challenges also represented major investment opportunities, particularly for businesses capable of improving productivity, processing, storage and market access across the fisheries value chain.

He assured the Turkish investors that the Federal Government was committed to creating an investment-friendly environment capable of attracting credible local and international investors into Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.

CRD Impex, led by Tarhan, said it was in Nigeria to explore opportunities in the fishing sector. Tarhan said the company had extensive experience in fisheries and aquaculture in Turkey and was interested in bringing its expertise and investment capacity to Nigeria.

The investment discussions also moved beyond the minister’s office, with the Turkish delegation, accompanied by officials of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, visiting fisheries and aquaculture facilities to assess opportunities and gain first-hand knowledge of the country’s fisheries value chain.

The team visited the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal in Lagos, Ozumba Mbadiwe Fish Market in Lekki, Lagos, and Esuk Nsidung Beach Market, a major waterfront seafood and trading hub in Esiere Ebom, Henshaw Town, Calabar, Cross River State.

The visits offered the investors an opportunity to see how fish are landed, traded and moved through local markets, as well as the infrastructure and operational gaps that could benefit from new investment.

For the Federal Government, the challenge now is to ensure that modernisation of the sector translates into better livelihoods for the people already working in it.

The ministry’s position is that Nigeria’s fisheries sector can attract international capital and technology while ensuring that artisanal fishers remain active participants—and beneficiaries—of the country’s emerging blue economy.