Stakeholders in Nigeria’s aquaculture sector have called for greater adoption of digital technology to improve fish health management, strengthen industry coordination, and boost domestic fish production, following the unveiling of a new digital platform known as E-AquaHealth.
The platform, developed by Smart AquaHealth Solutions Limited, was formally launched on Wednesday as part of efforts to deploy technology-driven solutions to challenges confronting fish farmers and other stakeholders in the aquaculture value chain.
Speaking at the launch, co-founder of the company, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, said the innovation emerged from a research project implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic with support from the United States Agency for International Development through the Feed the Future Innovation Laboratory for Fish.
According to her, the research exposed several structural gaps within Nigeria’s aquaculture industry, prompting the development of a digital solution aimed at improving access to veterinary services, strengthening disease surveillance, and enhancing coordination across the aquaculture value chain.
Adeyemo explained that aquaculture in Nigeria is still relatively young compared with other livestock sectors, leaving many fish farmers with limited access to professional support, quality inputs, and organised industry structures.
“Our research revealed several challenges affecting fish farmers, including poor aquatic animal health management, lack of biosecurity awareness, limited access to veterinary and diagnostic services, and difficulty accessing fish seed and other inputs,” she said.
She added that the E-AquaHealth platform was designed to address these gaps by enabling farmers to digitally report disease outbreaks and symptoms while connecting them with veterinarians, laboratories, and other professionals who can provide expert advice and diagnostic services.
The platform also provides extension services through online resources such as webinars, podcasts, and continuing education programmes for veterinarians and allied professionals.
Adeyemo further explained that the digital innovation includes a marketplace designed to connect verified vendors, laboratories, processors, and service providers across the aquaculture value chain.
“Our goal is to strengthen biosecurity, improve disease management, and enhance aquaculture productivity while enabling sustainable fish farming in Nigeria,” she said.
She noted that the company plans to expand the platform’s capabilities by integrating tele-veterinary consultations, digital farm record systems, and mobile-phone-enabled access for farmers in rural communities.
Adeyemo added that Smart AquaHealth Solutions aims to onboard at least 1,000 fish farmers during its first phase of regional expansion while building partnerships with financial institutions, regulators, and industry stakeholders to improve access to credit and technical support.
Chairman of the launch event and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, described the platform as a clear example of how academic research can be transformed into practical innovations that drive economic development.
Olayinka said the initiative aligns with efforts by universities to promote research commercialisation and technology transfer capable of delivering real-world impact.
“The essence of research commercialisation is transforming academic knowledge and laboratory discoveries into market-ready solutions that generate economic value and societal benefits,” he said.
He commended the developers of the platform for translating research findings into a digital solution capable of supporting sustainable aquaculture development in Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission, Mr. Seye Oyeleye, said Nigeria must embrace science and innovation to unlock the full potential of its aquaculture industry.
Oyeleye noted that fish, particularly catfish and tilapia, remain one of the most affordable sources of protein for millions of Nigerians, yet domestic production still falls short of demand.
He said many fish farmers continue to suffer heavy losses due to preventable diseases and limited access to veterinary expertise.
“This is not merely the unveiling of a digital platform. It is a bold statement that Nigeria’s aquaculture sector is ready to embrace science, technology, and innovation as tools for growth,” he said.
He urged fish farmers, veterinary professionals, laboratories, and financial institutions to support the platform to build a more productive and sustainable aquaculture sector.
