Department of

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Dr. John Ukpatu

Head of Department

Welcome Note

The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture at Akwa Ibom State University is devoted to advancing education, research, and innovation in the sustainable management and utilization of aquatic resources. Through its B.Agric, PGD, M.Sc., and Ph.D. programmes, the Department equips students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in aquaculture, fish biology, aquatic ecology, fish nutrition, hatchery management, and fisheries economics.

With a team of dedicated and experienced faculty members, the Department integrates classroom instruction with extensive field and laboratory training to prepare graduates for leadership in fisheries science, aquaculture production, and aquatic resource management. Our academic and research activities are designed to address national and global challenges such as declining fish stocks, food insecurity, environmental degradation, and the need for sustainable aquatic systems. The Department also contributes to industry growth and community development through applied research, extension services, and collaborations with government agencies, private aquaculture enterprises, and international partners. Our overarching goal is to produce competent graduates and professionals capable of driving innovation, sustainability, and food security in the fisheries and aquaculture sector both locally and globally.

On behalf of the staff and students, I warmly welcome you to the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture webpage. Whether you are a prospective student, researcher, industry partner, or visitor, this platform provides insights into our programmes, research activities, and achievements. We invite you to explore our resources, engage with our vibrant academic community, and join us in promoting excellence in fisheries science, aquaculture development, and blue economy growth.

Philosophy

As a coastal state with extensive coastal line and abundant fisheries resources and access to the sea, there is compelling need to train high-level manpower in the fisheries discipline who will manage the enormous aquatic resources of the state. The undergraduate program, which is broad-based, is in line with the National Universities Commission (NUC) Minimum Benchmark Standard to incorporate knowledge from diverse fields using modern methods of teaching and research relevant to the local communities, the state, and the country to ensure sustainability of fisheries resources for future generations. The general courses will help the students to have a broad outlook on current local and international problems in fisheries and be effectively mobilized for increased fisheries productivity within the Kashmir area and yonder.

Vision

Ever since our program was founded, its vision has been to establish itself as one of the world-class in training and research among the top-leading stronghold institutions in fisheries, by producing adequate graduates, flamed with knowledge and technical expertise, and meeting the needs of national development in fisheries, employers of labour, self-employment, the environment, and the social needs of the regions where they operate.

Mission

To save as a department, committed to the production of high-quality graduates and researchers in fisheries and aquaculture technology, for the socio-economic development, environmental, and entrepreneurship skill, for obligation and communal development, and also to promote propagation, exchange, and dissemination of knowledge for the increased fisheries production of the state and nation at large.

Objective

A graduate of the program is trained to accomplish the following:

i. Engage in production and research that will be able to provide relevant and appropriate solutions related to the fisheries sub-sector and generally help to improve productivity in agriculture.

ii. Gain employment in government establishments as fisheries development officer, fisheries resource managers anywhere in Nigeria, including fishing companies and beyond in any aspect of agriculture.

iii. To produce graduates geared towards self-employment by establishing and operating their own fishing and aquaculture enterprises.

iv. Be able to work in universities, research and other tertiary institutions and oil companies.

v. To produce graduates with sufficient technical, productive and entrepreneurship skills who will be involved in the production, research and entrepreneurship in any aspect of agriculture and other related disciplines.

vi. To produce graduates that are relevant to themselves, the industry, society and who can contribute effectively to national development goals in agriculture.

vii. Contribute to the national policy of self-sufficiency in food production.

viii. To conduct results-oriented fish-based and aquaculture research related to the needs of large and small-scale fishers and aquaculturists, having in mind to solving their problems. As well as generating new innovations and technologies.

Academic Programmes

AKSU offers the following programmes through this Department:

Bachelor of Science (B.Fisheries) in Fisheries and Aquaculture
Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Fisheries and Aquaculture
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Fisheries and Aquaculture with specialization options including:
- Agribusiness Management
- Food Marketing & International Trade
- Farm Management & Production Economics
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Fisheries and Aquaculture with specialization options including:
- Consumer Welfare & Food Economics
- Agribusiness Management
- Food Marketing & International Trade
- Farm Management & Production Economics
- Resource & Environmental Economics
- Project Planning & Appraisal
- Agricultural Cooperatives
- Agricultural Financial Management

Admission Requirement

🎓Undergraduate Studies

University Requirements

a.) Admission through JAMB and Post UTME

i. Admission into Akwa Ibom State University shall be through Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) OR Direct Entry. In addition to attaining, the general required standard in UTME, candidates must satisfy the general university requirement as well as the specific Faculty and Programs requirement. All Admissions shall be through JAMB.

ii. The candidate must be over 16 years of age by 1st October in the year of admission.

iii. Candidates must possess at least 5 credit passes in relevant subjects ( Biology /Agricultural Science/ Fisheries and Aquaculture, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and a credit pass in English language. Credit passes in Economics and Geography will be added advantages.) at GCE O/L, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents at not more than 2 sittings.

iv. Subjects to be offered at the University Matriculation Examination (UME) should include English Language, Biology/Agricultural Science/Fisheries and Aquaculture, Chemistry and any other science subject.

iv. Satisfactory performance in the University Matriculation Examination.

v. Satisfactory performance in the Post-UTME screening exercise conducted by the University.

b.) Admission by Direct Entry

Candidate seeking admission into the university by direct entry should possess, in addition to the above, one of the following:

i. In addition to 6.1 (i) above, candidates should have at least two A-level passes or their equivalents in any of Biology, Botany, Agricultural Science, Zoology, Mathematics, Strength, Statistics, Physics, Economics, and Geography.

ii. In addition to 6.1 (i) above, candidates should have OND or ND (Upper Credit)/HND (lower credit)/NCE (Credits in relevant subject(s) in Fisheries/Aquaculture, Marine Biology/Science, Biology/Agricultural Science, Wildlife Management, Animal Health and Husbandry. Veterinary Science, Food-Science, Biology-Education, Agricultural Science-Education, and any other closely related discipline are also considered.

iii. Satisfactory performance in the direct entry screening exercise conducted by the university.

iv. In addition to (i) above, candidates with HND (not less than lower credits) in Fisheries/Aquaculture, Marine Biology/Science, Biology/Agricultural Science, Wildlife Management, Animal Health and Husbandry. Veterinary-Science, Food-Science, Biology-Education, Agricultural Science-Education, and any other closely related discipline may be admitted into Year 2 of the 5-year program and may be exempted from the SIWES practical training.

v. Admission requirements are subject to review from time to time and open to both Nigerians and Non-Nigerians.

Other Admission Requirements

i. A pass in general paper at HSC or approved equivalents would not be accepted as a substitute for a credit pass in English Language at GCE O/L, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents.

ii. Interviews may be conducted as a component of the admission process in addition to UTME or Direct Entry by JAMB.

iii. Specific Faculty/Departmental Requirements will be stipulated in addition to the general University entry requirements.

Transfer Admission

Candidates with adequate qualifications who wish to transfer from other universities to the Department of Crop Science shall be admitted into either Year II or Year II depending on their qualifications and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) as approved by the University. Such candidates must submit an official transcript from their former Universities. There is no admission beyond Year II.

🎓🎓Postgraduate Studies

Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)

🔸SSCE with 5 credits including English and Mathematics (in not more than 2 sittings)

🔸One of:

HND in Agriculture with Lower Credit
Third Class Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or related science
HND Pass with six years of cognate experience.

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

🔸SSCE with credits as above

🔸One of:

Bachelor’s Degree (minimum of Second Class Lower) in Agriculture or science-related discipline
HND Upper Credit plus PGD at Distinction level.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

🔸SSCE with credits as above

🔸One of:

Master's Degree (minimum of Second Class Lower) in Agriculture or science-related discipline

Departmental Activities & Research

CONTENTS NEEDED (E.g. The Department publishes the open-access journal AKSUJAEERD (Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension & Rural Development), featuring peer‑reviewed research on topics like e‑readiness of extension personnel, broiler production economics, and more.)

Facilities & Experiential Learning

CONTENT NEEDED (Example:

🔸 University Teaching & Research Farm (23 ha): hosts demonstrations on conservation tillage, integrated pest management and micro‑irrigation.

🔸 ICT Hub: broadband‑enabled labs support remote diagnostics and data analytics for extension surveys.)

Career Pathways

🐟 Aquaculture Production & Management

Fish farm manager (catfish, tilapia, shrimp, or ornamental fish farms)
Hatchery manager or aquaculture production consultant
Aquaculture systems designer (recirculatory, cage, or pond systems)
Fish breeding and genetics specialist
Aquatic feed formulation and nutrition expert

🌊 Fisheries Resource Management & Marine Science

Fisheries officer or aquatic resource manager (government or NGO)
Marine biologist or aquatic ecologist
Fisheries policy analyst or management consultant
Inland and coastal fisheries development officer
Sustainable fisheries and ecosystem management specialist

🧫 Fish Health & Environmental Management

Aquatic animal health technician or disease control officer
Water quality control and monitoring officer
Laboratory technologist in fish pathology or aquatic microbiology
Biosecurity and aquatic ecosystem health specialist
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) consultant for aquaculture projects

🍤 Fish Processing & Post-Harvest Technology

Fish processing and preservation technologist
Quality control and assurance officer in seafood industries
Product development specialist (smoked, dried, or frozen fish products)
Fish value chain and packaging technologist
Seafood export and certification officer

🌾 Fisheries Extension & Community Development

Fisheries extension officer (public or private sector)
Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) fisheries specialist
Community aquaculture development facilitator
NGO or donor project officer in aquaculture and coastal livelihood programmes
Training and capacity-building consultant in small-scale fisheries

🎓 Education, Research & Academia

Lecturer or researcher in fisheries, aquaculture, or marine biology (with postgraduate qualification)
Research scientist in aquatic ecology, nutrition, or fish breeding
Research assistant in universities, research institutes, or international organizations (e.g., NIOMR, IITA, FAO)
Fisheries laboratory technologist or instructor

💼 Entrepreneurship & Blue Economy Ventures

Owner or manager of commercial fish farms or hatcheries
Fish feed production entrepreneur
Fish processing and packaging business owner
Exporter of aquatic products (fish, shrimp, or ornamental species)
Consultant in aquaculture project design, setup, and management

🏛️ Government & Regulatory Agencies

Fisheries officer in Federal or State Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Roles in NAFDAC, SON, NIOMR, or NAQS (inspection, certification, and regulation of fishery products)
Policy advisor or regulatory officer in marine resource management
Inspector in maritime and coastal resource protection agencies

🌍 Specialized & Emerging Fields

Climate-smart aquaculture and sustainability expert
Aquatic biotechnology and genetic improvement researcher
Oceanography and marine resource conservation specialist
Blue economy and coastal development strategist
Aquaculture engineering and automation specialist

Staff

🎓Academic Staff

🔸 Prof. Sunday Bassey Ekanem

🔸 Prof. Mfon Timothy Udo

🔸 Prof. Eyo Etim Ambrose

🔸 Dr. John Etitigwun Ukpatu

🔸 Dr. Aniekan Johnny Otoh

🔸 Dr. Ubong Uwem George

🔸 Dr. Philomena Edet Asuquo

🔸 Dr. Joseph Philip Udoh

🛠️Laboratory Technologist

🔸 Usendu, Utibe Ukana

🗃️Farm Staff

🔸 Mr. Idopiseabasi Ekpe Asuquo

🔸 Mr. Uduak E. Timothy

🗃️Administrative Staff

🔸 Mrs. Victoria E. Eshiet

🔸 Mrs. Imaobong Unwana

🔸 Mrs. Unyime G. Uwa

👉 View Staff Details

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