National Seafood Business Forum 2026 to Drive Investment and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria's Blue Economy, to be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Auditorium, Maitama, Abuja, by National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office 

The National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office has announced the National Seafood Business Forum 2026, a strategic national event designed to unlock investment, foster innovation, and accelerate sustainable growth within Nigeria's seafood industry.

Scheduled to hold on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Auditorium, Maitama, Abuja, the forum will bring together policymakers, investors, seafood producers, exporters, researchers, financial institutions, development partners, and other key stakeholders to chart a new course for Nigeria's blue economy.

With the theme, "Unlocking Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria's Seafood Sector," the event aligns with the Federal Government's broader agenda of promoting local production, industrialization, food security, and export diversification through the Nigeria First Policy and the Made in Nigeria Project.

Positioning Nigeria's Seafood Industry for Global Competitiveness

Nigeria possesses abundant marine and inland water resources that provide enormous opportunities for fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processing, and exports. However, much of the sector's potential remains untapped due to challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited investment, post-harvest losses, and low value addition.

The National Seafood Business Forum aims to address these challenges by creating a platform where government agencies, private sector operators, and development partners can collaborate on practical solutions that will transform the industry into a major contributor to economic growth and foreign exchange earnings.

The forum is expected to promote strategies that enhance productivity while ensuring sustainable management of Nigeria's aquatic resources.

Key Areas of Focus

The 2026 forum will revolve around four major pillars that are critical to the development of a modern seafood industry:

Strategic Partnerships

Building strong partnerships between government institutions, private investors, financial institutions, research organizations, and international development partners will be central to discussions. These collaborations are expected to facilitate investments, improve access to finance, and strengthen value chains across the seafood industry.

Innovation and Technology

Technology adoption remains essential for improving productivity and competitiveness. Participants will explore innovations in aquaculture, cold-chain logistics, seafood processing, quality assurance, traceability systems, digital marketing, and export certification that can enhance efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses.

Investment Opportunities

Nigeria's seafood industry offers significant investment potential in fish farming, shrimp production, seafood processing, packaging, storage facilities, logistics, export infrastructure, and marine services. The forum will showcase these opportunities to local and international investors interested in participating in the country's expanding blue economy.

Sustainable Seafood Development

Sustainability will be a major theme of the event, with discussions expected to focus on responsible fishing practices, environmental conservation, climate resilience, sustainable aquaculture, and policies that ensure long-term productivity while protecting marine ecosystems.

Supporting the Made in Nigeria Agenda

The National Seafood Business Forum forms part of the Made in Nigeria Project's broader mission to promote locally produced goods and strengthen domestic industries capable of competing in regional and international markets.

By encouraging greater investment in seafood production and processing, the initiative seeks to:

• Increase domestic seafood production.

• Reduce dependence on imported fish and seafood products.

• Create employment opportunities across the fisheries value chain.

• Promote value addition and local processing.

• Expand non-oil exports.

• Strengthen food security.

• Enhance Nigeria's global competitiveness.

The forum also complements the Federal Government's industrialization strategy by encouraging greater participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the seafood sector.

Driving Economic Growth Through the Blue Economy

Globally, the blue economy has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors, creating opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, marine transportation, coastal tourism, renewable ocean energy, and marine biotechnology.

Nigeria's extensive coastline and inland waterways position the country to become a major player in Africa's seafood industry. Unlocking this potential requires coordinated investments in infrastructure, technology, skills development, financing, and market access, objectives that the National Seafood Business Forum seeks to advance.

Building a Competitive and Sustainable Industry

The forum's vision is captured in its theme:

"Building a Competitive, Sustainable and Globally Reputable Nigerian Seafood Industry."

Achieving this vision will require collaboration among all stakeholders to improve production standards, strengthen quality assurance systems, enhance export readiness, and promote sustainable resource management.

Through dialogue and strategic partnerships, the event is expected to generate actionable recommendations that will help position Nigeria as a leading seafood producer and exporter within Africa and beyond.

A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation

The National Seafood Business Forum 2026 is more than a conference; it is a national platform for shaping the future of Nigeria's seafood industry. By bringing together policymakers, investors, innovators, researchers, financial institutions, and industry operators, the forum aims to catalyze investments that will transform the sector into a significant driver of economic diversification.

With its focus on collaboration, innovation, investment, and sustainability, the event reflects the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office's commitment to promoting indigenous industries that create jobs, enhance food security, and strengthen Nigeria's economic resilience.

As stakeholders gather in Abuja on August 4, 2026, the forum is expected to lay the foundation for a more competitive, sustainable, and globally recognized Nigerian seafood industry capable of contributing meaningfully to national development and the success of the Made in Nigeria initiative.