Regulatory Framework for Aquaculture Development in Inland States of North Central Nigeria

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in Nigeria, yet regulatory gaps and inconsistent policy implementation continue to constrain sustainable development, particularly in inland states. This study examined the regulatory framework governing aquaculture in the North Central states of Niger, Kwara, and Benue, assessing policy adequacy, enforcement capacity, and stakeholder compliance. Documentary analysis of federal and state aquaculture policies, fishery regulations, and environmental standards was combined with semi-structured interviews with 34 regulatory officials, fish farmers, and industry associations. Farm compliance audits were conducted at 18 registered farms. Policy analysis revealed an absence of dedicated state aquaculture laws in two of the three states, with aquaculture activities instead governed under general fisheries edicts dating back to the 1990s. Enforcement was hampered by shortage of trained inspectors, lack of mobile inspection capacity, and unclear jurisdictional demarcation between federal and state agencies. Farm compliance with water quality discharge standards was poor, with 72 percent of audited farms lacking effluent management records. Chemical input regulation was virtually absent, with un-registered veterinary drugs openly used in 44 percent of farms. Feed quality standards were only enforced at the federal NAFDAC level, without state-level monitoring. The study recommends enactment of model state aquaculture bills, capacity building for state fisheries inspection units, and the establishment of farmer cooperative compliance reporting systems. Keywords: aquaculture regulation, policy framework, North Central Nigeria, compliance, sustainable fisheries.