The Federal Government has approved the digitisation of the fish import licensing process, a move aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight, improving efficiency, and supporting the growth of local fish production within Nigeria’s maritime economy.
The approval was granted by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, who has directed the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to immediately implement a digital platform to replace the current manual licensing system.
According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Dr Bolaji Akinola, the reform is part of broader efforts to modernise marine administration and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic diversification, food security, job creation, and institutional reform.
Oyetola described the policy shift as a strategic intervention designed to reposition Nigeria’s fisheries sector for sustainable growth and enhanced 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.
