By Fatima Saka
The depreciation of the naira is driving up the cost of imported fish, with the National Fish Association of Nigeria (NFAN) saying popular species such as Titus, Mackerel and Sardine are purchased with dollars in the same way petroleum products are priced in the international market.
The President of NFAN, Dr Ladan Aliyu, disclosed this in Abuja during the formal presentation of the association’s newly elected executives to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
Aliyu said fluctuations in the naira-dollar exchange rate directly affect the prices of imported fish, making it difficult for consumers to access the commodity at affordable prices.
He said Nigeria requires about three million metric tonnes of fish annually but produces less than one-quarter of the demand locally, leaving a significant supply gap that continues to be met partly through imports.
According to him, the situation can only be sustainably addressed by strengthening local fish production through cooperative development, farmer training and government support.
“Actually, we have to come together as a formidable and sustainable cooperative society. When we do that, we train the farmers, we make sure that government comes in as a partner to help with other inputs and policies that we need for the fish. That will help in improving production,” he said.
Aliyu said the new leadership of NFAN would operate under the mantra, “One Fish, One Voice,” aimed at uniting stakeholders and promoting sustainable development across Nigeria’s fishery and aquaculture value chain.
Also speaking, the Deputy President of the association, Mr Adewale Adeogun, said the increase in the price of Titus fish was not peculiar to Nigeria, describing it as part of a global rise in fish prices.
Adeogun, however, expressed optimism that supportive government policies could help increase domestic production and ease pressure on consumers.
Earlier, the Federal Government charged the newly elected executives to promote unity, transparency and inclusiveness in the association and avoid internal divisions that could result in prolonged litigation.
The Director, Commodities and Export Department, Mr Usman Bokani, represented by the Deputy Director, Mrs Felicia Udeh, commended NFAN for conducting what he described as a free, fair and credible election.
He urged the new executives to work together as a family and ensure that the interests of the wider membership remained central to their activities.
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The representative of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Pastor Isaac Ojonugwa, also congratulated the new leadership and pledged the federation’s support.
Ojonugwa urged the executives to work with their predecessors and strengthen linkages among stakeholders across the fishery and aquaculture value chain.
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