The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the digitisation of Nigeria’s fish import licensing process in a move aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and regulatory oversight in the fisheries sector.
The approval for the initiative was granted by Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, who also directed the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to accelerate the implementation of the digital platform.
The reform, the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry said, forms part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to modernise marine administration and strengthen domestic fish production capacity, in line with the economic reform priorities of Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The policy framework places strong emphasis on economic diversification, food security, job creation, and institutional reform.
According to Oyetola, the digitisation of fish import licensing is intended to reposition Nigeria’s fisheries sector for sustainable growth and improved competitiveness.
“The digitisation of fish import licensing is a major step towards eliminating administrative bottlenecks, improving transparency, and ensuring that our regulatory processes align with global best practices,” the minister said.
He added that the initiative would simplify licensing procedures for legitimate operators while strengthening government oversight and accountability across the sector.
“This reform will not only simplify procedures for genuine operators but will also strengthen government oversight, promote accountability, and support our broader objective of boosting local fish production,” Oyetola said.
According to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the transition from manual licensing procedures to a digital system is expected to streamline application processes, reduce delays, eliminate duplication, and limit opportunities for human interference and administrative inefficiencies.
The digital platform will also introduce real-time data monitoring capabilities, enabling the Ministry to track fish import volumes, assess supply gaps, and support evidence-based policymaking.
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