A lecturer in the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology at the Federal University of Technology Akure, Dr. Toyosi Igejongbo, has secured the Fisheries Without Borders Grant under a regional initiative aimed at strengthening climate-resilient fisheries across West Africa.
The project, supported by the Blue Convergence Fund through Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, will run from February 2026 to January 2028 across Nigeria, Ghana, and Benin. It focuses on promoting sustainable blue economy outcomes in the Gulf of Guinea by integrating scientific research with traditional ecological knowledge to improve fisheries governance.
The initiative was competitively selected under the 2025 Climate-Resilient Fisheries Engagement Grants, with FUTA serving as the lead institution. It brings together experts from across West Africa in fisheries science, environmental management, and ocean governance.
Key collaborators include Dr. Adesola Ogunrayi of the Ondo State Ministry of Environment; Dr. Pèlèbè Edéya Orobiyi Rodrigue of the University of Parakou, Benin; Prof. Olamide Olaronke Olawusi-Peters of FUTA; Mr. Eweola Paul of Aquaworld Community Development Initiative; Prof. Francis Kofi Ewusie Nunoo of the University of Ghana; and Edwin Mwashinga under the Ocean Decade Africa framework.
As part of implementation, a Local Stakeholder Dialogue was held in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, bringing together fishers, women processors, traditional rulers, youth groups, and government officials from coastal communities including Aheri, Ugbo, Mahin, and Etikan.
The engagement provided a platform to discuss declining fish stocks, climate variability, and governance challenges affecting coastal livelihoods.
Dr. Igejongbo, who leads the project, said community inclusion remains central to the initiative. She noted that outcomes from the dialogue would feed into broader national and regional policy processes across the three participating countries, with similar engagements planned for other coastal communities.
Delivering a keynote address, Prof. E. O. Adeparusi called for stronger collaboration between government and coastal communities, stressing the need for improved infrastructure, security, and regulatory enforcement in the fisheries sector.
Stakeholders at the event also called for better enforcement of fisheries laws, enhanced government support for coastal livelihoods, and increased youth participation in the blue economy.
Representatives of fisher cooperatives, including Mr. Godbless Nasiri, welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step in giving local communities a stronger voice in fisheries governance.
Academic and policy contributors, including Prof. Adekunle Dada, emphasized the need to combine scientific data with indigenous knowledge to strengthen regional cooperation and sustainability in marine resource management.
The dialogue concluded with a commitment to document traditional ecological knowledge and translate community inputs into policy briefs aimed at improving fisheries governance across the region.
The Director of the Centre for Research and Development at FUTA, Prof. Kenneth Alaneme, commended the cross-border approach, describing it as a significant step toward linking research with practical, climate-resilient solutions for coastal communities.
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