Advancing Integrated Fish Farming in Nigeria: Climate-Smart Innovations and Policy Strategies

Abstract

Nigeria faces a significant gap between fish demand and domestic supply, with imports covering nearly half of consumption. Integrated fish farming offers a pathway to expand production while addressing resource and environmental challenges. This study applies an evidence-based policy analysis of scholarly, institutional, and grey literature published up to 2022. Using the Climate-Smart Aquaculture (CSAq) framework, supported by institutional and diffusion of innovation theories, it assesses both the benefits of emerging technologies and the conditions influencing their adoption. Results show that solar-powered aeration, biofloc systems, and aquaponics can lower costs, improve resilience to climate variability, and reduce environmental impacts. Yet uptake is constrained by limited finance, weak extension support, and inadequate regulatory incentives. The study concludes that targeted reforms in credit access, extension training, and sustainability-focused regulations are essential to scale these innovations. Strengthening such enablers would reduce Nigeria’s fish deficit, enhance food security, and align aquaculture with climate adaptation priorities.