Aquaculture Value Chain and Consumer Analysis in Nigeria

Aquaculture is a strategic priority to drive impact across nutrition, livelihoods, and women’s economic empowerment (WEE). Fish currently supplies approximately 40% of Nigeria’s animal protein intake, and aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production subsector in the country. However, local production meets only 55% of national fish demand, with the remainder, worth nearly $1 billion, filled by imports.

Data collection involved a mixed-method approach including listing, quantitative and qualitative data collection activities across 11 local government areas (LGAs) in two survey States. Listing activity took place prior to the quantitative data collection. The listing exercise involved scouting, identifying and recruiting at least 1,200 representing 20% extra VCAs across the two States. The quantitative data collection was obtained from 1,000 aquaculture VCAs (i.e., 500 per State). The identified VCAs were disaggregated by gender, with a total of 550 women and 450 men interviewed across the two States. The implementation of the focus group discussions (FGDs) was staggered throughout the study period. In two rounds, a total of nine FGDs (five in Delta and four in Kaduna State) were conducted across the two States. In the first round, a total of three FGDs (two in Delta and one in Kaduna) were conducted with women participants across the two States.