By Timipah Orusa
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Bayelsa State Coordinating Office, in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), has organized a one-day capacity-building workshop aimed at promoting value addition in seafood production and strengthening the state’s participation in the global export market.
The workshop, themed “Developing Value Addition with an Export-Ready Seafood Value Chain for Sustainable Economic Growth and Export Expansion,” was held on June 8, 2026, at Domaris Garden and Suite, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The programme brought together fish farmers, processors, marketers, government officials, and other stakeholders in the seafood industry to explore strategies for enhancing seafood production, processing, and export competitiveness.
Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Jones, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. He highlighted the ongoing 60-megawatt gas turbine project designed to provide stable electricity supply for households and industries, including seafood processing enterprises.
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Delivering a paper titled “Modern Fishing Practices and Sustainable Seafood Production for Export Markets,” the Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Port Harcourt, Dr. Ojo Akinrotimi, identified several opportunities for sustainable seafood production despite existing challenges.
He emphasized the adoption of modern aquaculture technologies, effective fisheries governance, and strengthened stakeholder partnerships as critical factors for improving productivity and enhancing export readiness.
Speaking at the event, the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Sylvia Adeneye, said the programme was designed to build capacity across the aquaculture value chain and position Bayelsa State to effectively compete in the global seafood market.
She noted that Nigeria possesses enormous aquatic resources, while Bayelsa State occupies a strategic position in seafood production due to its extensive riverine environment, over 203 kilometres of coastline, more than 3,000 kilometres of creeks, wetlands, and inland waterways.
According to her, despite the state’s vast potential, seafood exports from Bayelsa have yet to achieve the desired level of international competitiveness due to challenges associated with quality standards, value addition, processing, packaging, and certification requirements.
In his goodwill message, the Bayelsa State Coordinator of RMRDC. commended NEPC for partnering with the Council to organize the capacity-building programme. He also expressed appreciation to participants and stakeholders for their commitment to the development of the seafood industry.
Mr. Orusa stated that the collaboration between RMRDC and NEPC would further strengthen stakeholder engagement and facilitate the development of practical solutions to industrial challenges within the state.
He added that the partnership would attract investment, stimulate economic development, and create employment opportunities for youths in the seafood value chain. He further expressed optimism that increased value addition in seafood products would contribute significantly to economic diversification and growth in the state.
The Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the ministry, Mr. Wakedei Davidson Ere, disclosed that the Bayelsa State Government had initiated deliberate policies toward a structured blue economy cluster development programme aimed at maximizing the state’s marine resources.
Other presentations at the workshop included a lecture on “Export Standards, Food Safety and Certification Requirements for Seafood Products” delivered by Mrs. Philomena George of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), as well as a presentation on “Export Opportunities, Documentation and International Market Access for Seafood Products” by Mr. Michael Ibanga, State Trade Promotion Officer of NEPC in Bayelsa State.
The programme attracted 76 participants drawn from fishing communities, government agencies, and the organized private sector. It also featured technical sessions and goodwill messages from representatives of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (YECCIMA), the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, and other stakeholders.
Participants described the workshop as timely and impactful, noting that the knowledge gained would enhance value addition, improve product quality, and increase access to international seafood markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth and export expansion in Bayelsa State.
