MARCON Conference to explore pathways to sustainable fishing in Nigeria

Stanley Ihedigbo

Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON), is set to convene key stakeholders in the fisheries and maritime sectors to examine pathways for the sustainable development of Nigeria’s fishing industry.

The MARCON Conference on Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.

With the theme, “Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria: Pathways to Growth, Food Security and Coastal Livelihoods,” the conference will focus on the challenges confronting the fishing industry and explore practical solutions to unlock its potential for food security, employment and economic growth.

The organisers said Nigeria’s fishing industry requires coordinated intervention in areas including infrastructure, regulation, industrial production, research, skills development and human capital.

The conference will examine a broad range of issues covering port infrastructure and logistics, industrial fishing, fisheries value chains, maritime regulation, port economic regulation, marine science, skills development and human capital.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, is expected to speak on “The role of port infrastructure and maritime logistics in advancing sustainable fishing in Nigeria,” with emphasis on the importance of efficient maritime infrastructure and logistics to the growth of the fishing industry.

The President of the Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association will present a paper titled “Revitalising Nigeria’s industrial fishing sector for food security and economic growth,” focusing on the contribution of industrial fishing to domestic production and food security.

Also, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Ruth Abisola Olusanya, will address “Building a Sustainable Fisheries Value Chain for Food Security and Coastal Livelihoods in Lagos State.”

Her presentation will examine the development of fisheries value chains and their implications for food security and livelihoods in coastal communities.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, will speak on “Protecting Nigeria’s marine resources: The role of maritime regulation in sustainable fisheries development,” focusing on marine-resource protection and regulatory oversight.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, Dr. Pius Akutah, will present a paper on “Port economic regulation as a catalyst for sustainable fishing and blue-economy development in Nigeria.”

His presentation will examine the role of port economic regulation in supporting fishing activities and the broader blue economy.

The Director of the International Ocean Institute — Nigeria Centre, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Mr. Akanbi Bamikole Williams, will address “Marine science and sustainable fisheries development in Nigeria: Bridging research, policy and practice.”

The session will focus on the importance of scientific research and knowledge in developing effective and sustainable fisheries policies.

The Provost of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Dr. Paul Chukwudi Onuoha, will present “Strategies for building capacity for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Nigeria,” with emphasis on skills development and institutional capacity.

The President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, will examine “Human capital: Strengthening the workforce for sustainable fishing in Nigeria,” highlighting the importance of a skilled workforce to the development of the industry.

The conference will be chaired by MARCON Patron and President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi.

Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, said the conference was designed to bring the different components of Nigeria’s fisheries and maritime sectors together for a comprehensive discussion on the future of the industry.

Ogbuokiri said the participation of regulators, industry operators, researchers, training institutions, labour representatives and other stakeholders would provide an opportunity to examine the fishing industry from production and logistics to regulation, human capital and market development.

According to him, MARCON expects the discussions to generate practical ideas and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders towards addressing the challenges confronting Nigeria’s fishing industry.

MARCON said the conference is part of its efforts to promote informed public discourse on issues affecting Nigeria’s maritime industry and encourage greater stakeholder engagement towards the sustainable development of the country’s fisheries sector.

This version is suitable for The Mirror Newspaper and keeps the conference details while giving the story a stronger news structure.