By Chidi Ugwu
WorldFish, a leading international research and innovation organization, has announced the appointment of Dr. Charles Iyangbe as its new Country Representative for Nigeria. With a distinguished career spanning more than 25 years in agribusiness and economic development across Africa, Dr. Iyangbe is set to lead a strategic charge to transform Nigeria’s aquatic food systems and significantly reduce the country’s reliance on fish imports.
Dr. Iyangbe says his immediate focus will be on “reshaping Nigeria’s aquatic food systems” by forging strategic collaborations with the government, private sector investors, and development partners. His mandate is clear: leverage cutting-edge research and local partnerships to boost domestic fish production.
Nigeria faces a substantial challenge in meeting its nutritional needs. The country’s annual fish demand is estimated at 3.6 million metric tons, yet domestic production only accounts for a third of this total. Dr. Iyangbe highlighted the staggering economic cost of this deficit, noting that Nigeria spends approximately US$1.2 billion annually on fish imports to bridge the supply gap.
“My objective is to lead a team that will empower local fish farmers and entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources to scale up production,” said Dr. Iyangbe. “By strengthening our food security and reducing import dependence, we can create a more resilient economy and provide healthier food options for all Nigerians.”
Dr. Iyangbe’s impressive professional background positions him as a key figure in this mission. Prior to joining WorldFish, he served as the Global Business Development Executive at Abt Global, where he was instrumental in shaping the firm’s growth agenda in West Africa. He also held the role of Regional Director for Business Development and Signature Programs at Heifer International, where he provided strategic leadership in resource mobilization and engagement with funding agencies across the continent.
His career also includes more than four years with USAID in Nigeria, where as a Senior Agriculture Economist, he managed initiatives in agriculture, trade, food security, and investment. During this period, he was a key leader for several of USAID’s flagship Feed the Future programs in the country. He also spent five years with Catholic Relief Services, where he coordinated projects focused on agriculture and economic empowerment.
Dr. Iyangbe’s expertise in linking research, policy, and market opportunities in African agriculture is expected to be invaluable to WorldFish’s strategy in Nigeria. His appointment also marks a return to the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), of which WorldFish is a prominent member, underscoring his continued commitment to addressing global food system challenges.
As he takes on his new role, Dr. Iyangbe will guide WorldFish’s efforts to introduce innovations and foster sustainable growth within Nigeria’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, a move that is poised to make a significant impact on food security and economic development.
