Prof. Sonnie Oniye, Dean, School of Post-Graduate Studies, National Open University of Nigeria, says Nigeria spends about $1.7 billion annually on the importation of fish and livestock products.
Oniye, a Professor of Fisheries and Hydrobiology at the university’s Department of Biological Sciences, disclosed this during the public presentation of a book in Zaria on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book titled ‘Trends in Fisheries and Livestock Research and Extension in Nigeria: Food and Nutrition Challenges’, was in honour of Prof. Paul Bolorunduro’s’ retirement from service.
Oniye, who was the book reviewer at the event, said that the figure included about $1.2 billion spent on fish and fisheries products and more than $500 million on beef imports.
He described the trend as wasteful, considering Nigeria’s vast natural endowments.
“We have the land, waterways, ponds, rivers, lakes, lagoons and the ocean. Yet we still import this quantum of fish for consumption.
“This shows that we are not doing things correctly in terms of fish and livestock production,” Oniye said.
The don however acknowledged the Federal Government’s efforts to support the sector but described them as inadequate.
According to him, more investments were required in research institutes, universities and production systems, while financial institutions should be enabled to fund fisheries and livestock ventures.
He lamented the poor level of research funding and remuneration for academics in Nigeria compared with other West African countries, noting that wastage of national resources on “irrelevancies” was hampering progress.
“We must go back to the drawing board and get things right. Everyone has to be committed because Nigeria is the only country we have,” he said.
Commenting on the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Oniye described the initiatives as commendable but stressed that implementation remained the real challenge.
Earlier, Prof. Yusuf Sani, Executive Director, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, commended staff and associates of the institute for honouring Prof. Paul Bolorunduro with a book launch.
Sani, represented by Prof. Jamil Abdullahi, said the publication was in recognition of Bolorunduro’s contributions to fisheries and livestock development during his years of service at NAERLS before his voluntary retirement earlier this year.
He explained that the gathering was not only to celebrate Bolorunduro’s career but also to formally launch the book put together by his mentees and colleagues.
In his remarks, the celebrant, Prof. Paul Bolorunduro, expressed his happiness at the honour bestowed on him upon his retirement.
While presenting a paper titled “Reflection on My Career Journey”, Bolorunduro said Nigeria’s agricultural sector was at a crossroads
He said, its future direction would be determined by how Nigeria capitalises on its immense potential to overcome prevailing challenges.”
