Nigeria is a developing nation committed to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Sustainable Development Goals. These are 17 “Global Goals” with 169 targets. One of the targets is reducing food losses along the production and supply chain, including post-harvest losses, which is part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) SDG 12-Responsible Consumption and Production.

Geographical indications (GIs) are signs used on goods/produce/food/products with a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. It is mostly consisting of the name of the place of origin (FAO, 2019; FAO, 2021; Blessings and Afam, 2023). The specific quality of geographical indications is important as a result of local, natural, or human factors which are collective assets linked to the local heritage and reputation.

GIs are very vital to Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystems. However, Nigeria’s agricultural products does not currently have any specific legislation centered on geographical indications (Sand, 2020; Blessings and Afam, 2023). This deprives Nigerian products consumed outside the country of enormous economic advantage. Furthermore, the Trademark Act also does not provide extensive protection for agricultural goods produced in Nigeria as the Act is seen to have accorded limited protection of such goods. Thus, there is a need for a law that protects GI in Nigeria of her agriproduct. This is significant as Nigeria is naturally endowed and enriched with lots of quality, districts, geographically identifiable products of their locality, and special characteristics (Sand, 2020; Blessings and Afam, 2023).

The global overview of coastal fishing communities to global aquatic fish food security and economic growth cannot be over-emphasized. Fisheries and aquaculture provide the primary source of animals for 17% of the world’s population (Audum et al., 2022), while in low-food deficient countries and small-island developing states the number is about 25%. This sector employs more than 90% of the world’s capture fishers and provides many local fishing communities in the developing world with a source of food security and livelihood (Audum et al., 2022).

Fishing of the migratory type was very prominent among Ilaje tribes. From the pre-colonial period to date, the Ilaje are said to have been the most migratory, famous, and professional both in inland and deep sea fishing not only in Nigeria but in West and Central Africa (IUCN, 2007; Ebisemiju, 2016). Their aquatic skills contributed to their ability to adapt and enabled them to conquer their harsh geographical environment and add to their advantage (NIPOST, 2016).

The SDGs, particularly SDG 2- Zero hunger, SDG 3-Good health and well-being, SDG 12-Responsible consumption and production, and SDG 14- Life below water are very crucial because they focus on healthy living, preserving, protecting, promoting, maintaining, restoring, evaluating, monitoring and sustaining the coastal ecosystems and supporting more sustainable economic practices for coastal communities, including in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture practices (Alexander et al., 2020).

Ilajeland is a unique gateway to Ondo state, Nigeria as it is neighbouring the entire Southern part of the state. It is bounded in the South by the Atlantic Ocean. Its coastline covers a distance of 82 kilometers which makes it the local government area with the longest coastline in Nigeria (Ebisemiju, 2016).

The development of the fishing sector of the Ilaje coastal communities, particularly the geographical indications of the fishers, processors, and marketers/traders is fundamental to eradicating poverty, capacity building in fishing communities, and meeting the demands of Nigerians for nutritious food containing ingredients for healthy living.

 

News contributor:

Ms. Felicia Yetunde Eboka, Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, West Africa

Email: feliciayetunde1218@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicia-yetunde-eboka-ms-b806a8ba

X: @felicia59909678

 

References:

Alexander et al. 2020, Fish losses for whom: A Gendered Assessment of Post-harvest losses in the Barotse Floodplain Fishery Zambia

Audum et al. 2022, How Artisanal Fisheries Help Food Security and Rural Income

Blessings and Afam 2023, The Benefits of Legislation on Geographical Indication in Nigeria

Ebisemiju 2016, Ilajeland: People, Environment and Development

FAO 2019. Geographical indications for sustainable food systems. Preserving and promoting agricultural and food heritage

FAO 2021. Geographical Indication Developing a roadmap towards increased in sustainability

IUCN 2007, Caring of the World: A strategy of Sustainable Living World Conservation United Nations Environmental programme and World Wildlife fund

NIPOST 2016, Post Offices-with map of LGA, https://en.wikipedia.org.wiki/ilaje

Sand, M.K 2020. On geographical indications in Nigeria: An Interview with Sand Mba Kalu, Executive Director Africa International Trade and Commerce Research (AITCR)