By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector is crucial to the nation’s food security, economic growth, community livelihood, and the immediate threat of climate change.

Despite its significance, the sector faces multiple challenges, including the impacts of climate change.

Women as well as other stakeholders in blue economy industry, are often underrepresented in leadership roles and decision-making processes.

The underrepresentation of women in leadership roles within Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, combined with its vulnerability to climate change, presents a significant challenge to its sustainability.

Providing women with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to lead efforts in building climate resilience and transforming the industry is crucial.

The recent conference organising committee and working group workshop held in Lagos for the upcoming 2025 Gender and Blue Economy Conference was centered around recognizing the urgent need to empower women and address climate resilience.

Speaking, the Executive Director of the Centre for Gemder Economics in Africa, CGE Africa, Uchenna Idoko disclosed that, the project aims to spotlight and nurture future women leaders in fisheries and aquaculture and also empower women to take on leadership roles in the sector.

The project is funded by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and will run for two years, the first year according to Idoko focuses on women conducting doctoral research in fisheries and aquaculture at four government-owned universities in Southwestern Nigeria including LASU, FUTA, FUNAAB, and UI.

While the second year according to Idoko would focus on developing undergraduate female leaders, with engaged doctoral candidates acting as mentors to empower them for future leadership roles in fisheries and aquaculture.

Idoko maintained that advance gender equality and enhance female representation in the fisheries and aquaculture sector leadership roles would build leadership capabilities among female fisheries students, preparing them to tackle climate change challenges within the sector.

As well as showcase the contributions of women in fisheries and aquaculture research to inspire and motivate young women to pursue careers in this field.

Idoko reiterated that the first year of the project would spotlight future women leaders while year two wouls focus on nurturing the next generation.

She however stated that the outcome of the project would initiate an increase in female representation where more women is expected to hold leadership roles in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, contributing to more inclusive decision-making.

It is also expected that female fisheries students would gain leadership skills and actively engage in addressing climate change challenges within the sector.

The contributions of women in fisheries and aquaculture research will be recognized, motivating more young women to pursue careers in the field.

Expected speakers at the 3days conference include Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi: Permanent Secretary Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Osunkoya Daisi the Director of Fisheries, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Uchenna Idoko: Executive Director, CGE Africa.

Others are .Dr. Felicia Mogo the President of the African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI), and Charles Ofori the Policy Lead on Climate Change and Energy Transition at Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP).