Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Aquaculture Development in Nigeria
Ogun State, Nigeria | 22–23 July 2025 — The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), through its Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AARM) program, successfully convened the Inaugural National Advisory Council (NAC) and Stakeholders Meeting under the AIT–African Aquaculture Project: Nigerian Initiative. The event, themed “Evaluation of Elite Nile Tilapia and African Catfish Strains” brought together stakeholders from across Nigeria’s aquaculture sector to strengthen national collaboration and chart a roadmap for sustainable aquaculture development.
Hosted at the Radisson Park Inn, Ogun State, the two-day workshop assembled over 40 participants representing 35 institutions from across Nigeria — including government agencies, universities, research institutions, private sector actors, farmer associations, and development partners.
The meeting marked a major step in aligning Nigeria’s national aquaculture priorities with the goals of the AIT–African Aquaculture Project. It provided a platform to discuss critical research themes, validate field-level findings, and identify capacity-building opportunities tailored to Nigeria’s unique aquaculture landscape.
The National Advisory Council (NAC) was officially launched, comprising representatives from key institutions who will provide strategic oversight and guidance for project implementation. The meeting also included a National Stakeholders Consultation, aimed at validating priority research areas and strengthening partnerships to support training, extension, and policy development.
The inaugural session featured opening remarks by Dr. Krishna R. Salin, Chair of AARM at AIT and Principal Investigator of the Project, and Prof. Festus Idowu Adesun, Moderator of the Workshop. Sessions throughout the day included discussions on:
- Current Culture Practices and Gender Perspectives in Aquaculture — including presentation of ad hoc survey findings on tilapia and African catfish production in Nigeria.
- Key Informant Survey Findings on Gender Issues — highlighting both general insights and specific findings related to aquaculture businesses.
- Capacity Development and Mentorship — focusing on training needs for farmers, youth, and women entrepreneurs, and the development of in-country mentoring programs
- Research Strategies — presentations by Dr. Salin on Tilapia and Catfish Research Strategy and by Prof. Kyoko Kusakabe on Gender Research Strategy, followed by in-depth group discussions to refine methodologies and identify actionable next steps.
The event emphasized the importance of gender inclusion, youth participation, and private sector engagement in advancing aquaculture productivity and resilience. Participants identified key research and training priorities to enhance the impact of the AIT–African Aquaculture Project in Nigeria.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a set of action points to guide collaborative efforts moving forward, ensuring that innovation, investment, and research outcomes reach farmers and communities at all levels of the aquaculture value chain.
AIT–African Aquaculture Project
Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AARM)
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand
📧 aarm@ait.ac.th | 🌐 www.africanaquaculture.org
