Trade Maritime Customs Consultant and Chief Consulting Officer, Port Protocols Limited, Deputy Comptroller General of Customs (rtd), Dera Nnadi, has called for the development of a clear and practical policy framework to unlock Nigeria’s estimated ₦25 trillion fish economy.
Nnadi made the call while delivering a goodwill message at the National Conference on Sustainable Fishing, themed “Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria: Pathways to Growth, Food Security, and Coastal Livelihoods,” organised by the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
He described fish as a sustainable staple for Nigerians, noting that beyond its importance as a source of food and nutrition, some fish species also have significant ornamental value.
The retired Customs officer noted that Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources of both consumable and ornamental fish, presenting enormous opportunities for economic development, employment, and wealth creation.
“Nigeria’s fish economy is estimated at about ₦25 trillion,” Nnadi said, adding that the figure was approximately seven and a half times the entire 2025 budget of Lagos State.
He stated that the significance of the comparison became clearer given Lagos State’s position as one of Nigeria’s largest and most economically important states.
Nnadi affirmed that his longstanding interest in sustainable development had grown stronger since his retirement, particularly in exploring how Nigeria could transform its abundant natural resources into sustainable economic opportunities, create employment, and strengthen the livelihoods of its people.
He disclosed that this informed his decision to identify with MARCON and other stakeholders at the conference.
“I am here today — not merely to participate, but to show my solidarity with MARCON and with all of you for identifying the fish economy as an important and often underappreciated sector of our national economy deserving of serious attention and a dedicated conference,” he said.
Nnadi commended the organisers for creating a platform for stakeholders to examine the opportunities, challenges, and possibilities within Nigeria’s fish economy.
He expressed the expectation that the conference would go beyond discussions and produce “a clear, practical, and implementable fish economic policy framework.”
Nnadi also called for a strong communique that would capture the collective wisdom of participants and provide a roadmap for government, investors, producers, traders, and other stakeholders.
“The opportunity before us is enormous. What we need now is the awareness, policy commitment, investment, and coordinated action to unlock it,” he added.
