The Government of Nigeria and WorldFish have signed a hosting agreement to set up a WorldFish country office in Nigeria, to expand their work on the country's aquatic food systems, nutrition, jobs and livelihoods, WorldFish said.
The agreement, signed in Abuja on 2 October 2026 with the Federal Government, provides a framework for developing, conserving and sustainably managing Nigeria's aquatic resources, and lets WorldFish establish a science and innovation platform to support what both sides call an inclusive blue economy.
WorldFish has worked in Nigeria since 2019, raising aquaculture productivity mainly through better-performing fish breeds, especially GIFT tilapia, and through private partnerships. Nigeria spends an estimated $1 billion a year on fish imports, and with its population growing fast, more domestic fish farming and fisheries will be needed to cut that dependence.
"Strengthening local aquaculture systems, improving productivity, and supporting enterprise development will be essential to meeting the country's growing demand for fish while creating sustainable employment and income opportunities along the aquatic food value chain," said Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Nigeria's Minister of Budget and Economic Planning. He asked WorldFish to help create jobs for young people and women.
"Nigeria has a huge and untapped potential to grow its aquatic food systems," said WorldFish Director General Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed. Dr Charles Iyangbe, WorldFish's country representative for Nigeria, said the agreement would let it work more closely with communities and local partners.
Source: WorldFish
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