Caption: WorldFish Director General Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed (left) and Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, at the signing ceremony for the host country agreement in Abuja, Nigeria, on October 2, 2026. Photo: WorldFish.
The Government of Nigeria and WorldFish have signed a hosting agreement to establish a WorldFish country office in Nigeria, strengthening their partnership and paving the way for expanded collaboration to transform the country’s aquatic food systems to improve nutrition, create jobs, strengthen livelihoods and support sustainable economic growth.
Signed on October 2, 2026, in Abuja between WorldFish and the Federal Government of Nigeria, the agreement provides a framework for collaboration on the development, conservation and sustainable management of Nigeria’s aquatic resources to meet the country’s nutritional and economic needs. It enables WorldFish to establish a science and innovation platform that will support the development of an inclusive and sustainable blue economy in the country.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, welcomed the formalization of the host country agreement and outlined the Government of Nigeria’s objectives for working with WorldFish to advanceg aquaculture development across the country.
“Strengthening local aquaculture systems, improving productivity, and supporting enterprise development will be essential to meeting the country’s growing demand for fish while creating sustainable employment and income opportunities along the aquatic food value chain,” said Senator Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Nigeria.
WorldFish has been active in Nigeria since 2019, enhancing national aquaculture productivity through its higher-performing fish breeds, particularly GIFT tilapia and private partnerships that have contributed to diversifying Nigeria’s aquaculture.
“In the short time WorldFish has operated in Nigeria, it has forged ties of trust with the government and become a valuable partner by working with local entities. Nigeria has a huge and untapped potential to grow its aquatic food systems and we look forward to further harnessing WorldFish’s innovations, evidence and knowledge to advance Nigeria’s goals,” said Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed, WorldFish Director General.
Bagudu emphasized the importance of translating the new agreement into tangible benefits for Nigerians, particularly through initiatives that support aquaculture growth, improve livelihoods, and create economic opportunities. He encouraged WorldFish to leverage its global expertise, partnerships, and research capacity to help generate jobs for young people and women, who remain critical to the future of Nigeria’s blue economy.
Nigeria spends an estimated USD 1 billion annually on fish imports to meet domestic demand. With the country’s rapidly growing population, sustainable expansion of domestic aquaculture and fisheries will be critical to strengthening food security and reducing import dependence.
“The strengthened partnership through the newly signed agreement between WorldFish and Nigeria provides a foundation to work more closely with the communities and local partners in the country, needed to grow the country’s blue economy,” said Dr. Charles Iyangbe, WorldFish Country Representative for Nigeria.