Designing an Inclusive Sargassum-Aquafeed Value-Chain Training Programme: A Scalable Model for Coastal Resource Transformation and Women's Empowerment in Nigeria

Abstract

Coastal West Africa faces dual and interconnected crises: escalating sargassum blooms and aquaculture feed import dependency. Since 2011, massive sargassum influxes, part of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt have disrupted coastal ecosystems and communities across the region while Nigeria imports aquafeed ingredients. This paper presents a comprehensive framework for a five-year National Sargassum–Aquafeed Value-Chain Training Programme (NSAVTP) designed to address both challenges through circular economy principles. The NSAVTP proposes training 10,000 Nigerians across six curricula covering sargassum harvesting, processing, and aquafeed formulation, targeting 60% women and 70% youth participation. With a budget of USD 6.8 - USD 6.9 million, the programme aims to establish 1,000 certified micro-enterprises, reduce aquafeed imports by 30%, and process 50,000 tonnes of sargassum annually while generating $120–150 million in annual foreign exchange savings. Drawing on evidence from women-focused capacity-building in aquaculture value chains and successful training-of-trainers models, this article examines the theoretical foundations, implementation strategy, and anticipated socioeconomic and environmental impacts of this scalable model. The NSAVTP framework operationalizes Nigeria's blue economy agenda while advancing gender equality and climate adaptation in coastal communities.