Lagos Announces N10 Billion Public-Private Partnership to Establish an Aquaculture Center
The Lagos State government recently announced its intention to launch a N10 billion Public\Private Partnership (PPP) Aquaculture Centre of Excellence (LACE) in Igbonla, Epe. According to the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the scheme is expected to stimulate Lagos state’s aquaculture industry and produce 2,000 tonnes of fish annually.
The Aquaculture Centre of Excellence will provide support to fish farmers through the Lagos Nucleus Farms scheme and serve as an off-take point for other aquaculture clusters around the state.
Beyond enabling food security, the state would promote agro-tourism in the state through the Lagos State Songhai Project in Badagry and the Agricultural Training Institute, Araga, Epe.
Nigeria is the largest aquaculture fish producer in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 52% of the total farmed fish production in the region. Nigeria’s aquaculture focuses mainly on freshwater fish, with catfish species accounting for 64% of aquaculture production.
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Nigerian Fisheries Sector
Fisheries is a major economic sector, estimated to employ over 8.6 million people directly and a further 19.6 million indirectly, 70% of whom are women.
The Nigerian fisheries sector is one of the most important sectors in Nigeria, both from an economic and social standpoint. This sector contributes significantly to the livelihood, employment, and household food security of the country.