Historical Background and Mandate

GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF NIFFR.

The concept of a hydro dam came up in 1959 and by 1961 feasibility reports were ready on the different components of the proposed dam. At the conception stage, arrangement was made for pre-impoundment research studies by several research teams from Universities and Government Departments. The findings of these studies led to a conference in 1965 on the pre-impoundment studies of Kainji Lake. The recommendations from the communiqué arising from the conference formed the bed-rock for the need for further studies. By 1965 the Federal Government of Nigeria sought assistance from the United Nations Special fund to set up a research project at Kainji to undertake post-impoundment studies. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was named the executing agency of the Kainji Lake Research Project. The then Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources represented the interest of the Federal Government of Nigeria on the National Advisory Committee of the Kainji Lake Research Project which was established in 1968 to undertake post-impoundment studies aimed at assessing the effect of the man-made Lake at Kainji on plants, animals and aquatic communities. As a project the mandate was restricted to Kainji Lake Basin.

By 1975, FAO experts formally withdrew their participation and qualified Nigerians took over the management of what came to be known as Kainji Lake Research under the aegis of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) which was established by the Research Institutes order of 1975 (supplement of official Gazette No. 61 vol. 62 of 11th December, 1975 part B). The mandate of the Institute then were in the areas of: Fisheries, Wildlife, Agriculture, Limnology, Public health, Sociology, Economics and Range Management. These activities were extended to cover other man made lakes in Nigeria.

The Institute was one of the twenty-five Agricultural Research institutes then under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. Due to the reorganization of some Research Institutes within the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in 1987, the mandate of the Institute changed from multi-commodity as listed above to mono-commodity, namely Freshwater Fisheries with emphasis on Hydrology, Fish Biology, Fisheries Management, Limnology, Environment, Fisheries Technology, Hatchery Management, Aquaculture, Socio-economics, Extension Liaison  services and training. The name of the Institute changed to “National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research” to reflect the new mandate.

The Institute is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The activities of the Institute is Coordinated by Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN). A Governing Board whose members are appointed by the Federal Government governs the Institute. The Executive Director/CEO sees to the day-to-day affairs of the Institute.

 MANDATE

Ø  Genetic improvement of freshwater fishes and other aquatic resources in rivers and lakes (natural and man-made).

Ø  The abundance and distribution of freshwater fishes and other aquatic resources.

Ø  Hydrological behaviour of natural and man-made lakes.

Ø  Limnology of surface and ground water around natural and man-made lakes.

Ø  Rational exploitation and utilization of freshwater aquatic resources.

Ø  Ecological and socio-economic effects of the development of man-made lakes.

Ø  Aquaculture

Ø  Improvement in aquacultural activities among fishing communities and fish farmers

Ø  Any other matter related to the above.

The Institute shall in addition:

Ø  Carry out extension research liaison services with the Federal as well as State Ministries, primary producers, industries and other users of research results on matters of freshwater fisheries and other aquatic resources in collaboration with NAERLS of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Ø  Provide technical and vocational training in freshwater fisheries and related fields leading to the award of National Diploma certificate.

Ø  Provide laboratory and other technical services to fish farmers, industries and others concerned with freshwater fisheries problems.

Ø  Collaborate with all relevant Research Institutes, Universities and other organizations including agencies in both public and private sectors.

Capabilities and consultancy

Ø  Development of appropriate fisheries technology

Ø  Fish farming feasibility studies

Ø  Hatchery design construction and management

Ø  Fish pond construction and management

Ø  Integrated fish farming

Ø  Fish health management and disease control strategies

Ø  Socio-economic assessment studies of fish farming

Ø  Fish cage culture techniques and management

Ø  Techniques for mass production of zooplankton (natural fish food)

Ø  Gear and craft design, construction, repair and maintenance

Ø  Fish stock assessment of freshwater bodies, lakes, rivers, ponds etc

Ø  Restocking of lakes and reservoirs

Ø  Socio-economic studies of fishing communities

Ø  Aquatic macrophytes survey

Ø  Ecological studies of wetlands, their uses and ponds.

Ø  Water pollution studies

Ø  Environmental impact assessment in the management of inland water bodies

Ø  Water quality assessment in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and ponds.

Ø  Short training courses in fish farming techniques

Ø  Industrial Attachment for undergraduates, graduate, postgraduate programmes

Ø  Out-reach and on-farming programmes for private fish farmers.