Big Win for Ogun Fish Farmers! World Bank-Backed Project Pulls in N9.17 Billion Revenue Boost

Fish farming in Ogun State has hit a massive financial milestone, with local farmers raking in a staggering 9.17 billion Naira in revenue thanks to a strategic partnership with the World Bank. The success comes through the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), which has completely overhauled how aquaculture is done in the state.

Speaking during an inspection of farm settlements in the Eriwe and Ijebu areas on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, shared the impressive results. He explained that the government’s focus on helping farmers cut costs while increasing their harvest is finally paying off in a big way.

To make this happen, the state didn’t just offer advice it provided massive physical support. Over 4200 farmers were given access to 195436 bags of high-quality fish feed at a 30% discount. This subsidy alone saw the government pumping over 2.7 billion Naira into the pockets of farmers to shield them from the rising prices of fish food in the market.

The result of this investment was a massive harvest of 4256 metric tons of fish, a feat the Commissioner says will go a long way in making fish more affordable for families and reducing the need to buy imported frozen fish.

“This is proof that when the government targets its support correctly, farming becomes a very profitable business,” Owotomo said. He also highlighted that the project is not just about growing fish but also about keeping them fresh. New, modern “fish hubs” have been built in clusters like Ikenne and Ikangba, featuring solar-powered freezers and massive cold rooms so that farmers no longer have to worry about their fish spoiling before they reach the market.

Beyond fish, the “Renewed Hope” for agriculture in Ogun has also reached the poultry sector, with over 1200 chicken farmers receiving thousands of bags of feed to boost their bird production. The state government plans to continue these inspections across other local government areas to ensure every farmer is getting the help they need to turn their ponds into goldmines.