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When I was growing up in Nigeria in the 80s and 90s, agriculture was already a central part of my life. As a child, I gained experience of agricultural life from my father, who was a veterinarian. My mother, a teacher, sent me to school every day with these words: "Go out there and be the best among your peers!" That's the motto I try to live by.

As an aquaculture student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, I discovered a big gap in the fishing industry: the scarcity of fish seed in eastern and northern Nigeria. I began surveying fish farmers in the affected regions to learn more about the problem. The results revealed a business opportunity. I decided I could help fill knowledge gaps for fish farmers and also provide them with quality fish seed. I began to develop strategies for fish distribution.

When I was in my 3rd year at university, I acquired my own farm where I started fish seed multiplication with just two wooden barrels for fish rearing. Today, with the support of the World Bank, my company, Fish Shoal Nigeria, has a capacity of 5.2 million fry per year.

Aquaculture has faced countless challenges. In the early years, there was a lack of funds, infrastructure and equipment. Few people wanted to listen to a young farmer. I didn't have the right equipment to monitor environmental and water parameters, or a laboratory to diagnose fish diseases to prevent them. There were no insurance policies to protect fry producers and no government support structure. Many of my fish died from parasitic infestations, disease and fire.

Fortunately, thanks to my collaboration with PPAAO, I was able to purchase equipment and develop my business. The PPAAO became a springboard for me to reach a certain production capacity enabling me to produce quality fry for fish farmers in Nigeria. The program also helped me develop a strategy to have my own value chain in aquaculture, continuing to excel in fish production while expanding into the processing and packaging of various fish products.

I worked for years to build Fish Shoal Nigeria. The name "Fish Shoal" means a massive movement of fish. It's the name of a company that really lives up to its name.

Fish Shoal Nigeria operates on the basis of an inclusive buy-out strategy to involve thousands of Nigerian farmers. We produce and supply quality broodstock to connect with farmers, offer technical support to the farmers who raise the fish, which we buy back from the same farmers for processing and packaging for distribution. This strategy provides jobs, increases and improves food security in Nigeria. One of my primary objectives is to put fish on the tables of more Africans at lower cost.

I'm convinced that Africa is capable of feeding the world and that our continent is the next frontier for economic development. 8 years after founding Fish Shoal Nigeria, I'm using my knowledge and experience to contribute to change in Africa and make aquaculture accessible to my fellow Africans.