ARCN, ECOWAS Train 200 West African Youths on Sustainable Aquaculture
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has commenced the 2026 Training of West African Youth on Aquaculture, with emphasis on sustainable fish farming using Black Soldier Fly Larvae.
The programme, which opened on Monday at the ARCN Auditorium in Abuja, is aimed at boosting youth employment, food security and environmentally sustainable practices across the sub-region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Dr Abubakar Adamu Dabban, said the training was strategically designed to address the twin challenges of youth unemployment and fish supply deficits in West Africa.
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Dabban explained that the training, themed “Sustainable Fish Farming Using Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)”, aligns with regional priorities on youth empowerment, innovation and the development of a circular bioeconomy within the aquatic food sector.
He said the programme was the third in the series under the ECOWAS–ARCN collaboration, noting that 230 youths were successfully trained and empowered during the first two editions.
According to him, 200 youths will benefit from the 2026 edition, which is being implemented concurrently across four specialised institutions — ARCN, the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, and the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute.
The ARCN boss stated that the multi-institutional approach was adopted to ensure broad exposure to fish production systems, feed innovation, post-harvest management and agribusiness development.
He added that the training modules were value-chain oriented, covering Black Soldier Fly Larvae production, freshwater, brackish and marine fish farming, fish processing and value addition, as well as aquaculture economics and business plan development.
Dabban said the structure was deliberately designed to equip participants with both technical and entrepreneurial skills required to build viable aquaculture enterprises.
Recognising the region’s demographic profile, he said West Africa remained one of the youngest regions in the world, with United Nations estimates showing that over 60 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is under the age of 25.
He added that millions of young Africans are projected to enter the labour market annually in the coming years, making skills development critical.
He noted that aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food production sectors globally, citing Food and Agriculture Organization reports indicating that the sector now supplies more than half of aquatic animals consumed worldwide.
Despite this growth, he said Africa still faces significant fish supply gaps, even with its abundant water resources.
Dabban identified the high cost of fish feed, which can account for up to 60–70 per cent of production costs, as a major challenge confronting fish farmers, stressing that BSFL technology offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional feed ingredients.
According to him, insect-based protein promotes waste recycling, reduces pressure on wild fish stocks and lowers production costs, while improving profitability for farmers.
He explained that the training was being implemented under ECOWAS youth employability and agricultural development initiatives, leveraging technologies developed by the Regional Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture in Nigeria for regional adoption.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Dabban urged the participants to maximise the opportunity, describing them as future employers and change agents in the aquaculture sector.
He also commended ECOWAS, CORAF, the implementing institutions and other stakeholders for their sustained support for youth empowerment and agricultural transformation in West Africa.
The Executive Secretary thereafter formally declared open the Nigerian edition of the 2026 Training of West African Youth on Aquaculture.
