Kainji Lake a man-made in Nigeria with .a surface area of 1,270sq kilometers, was
constructed for hydro-electricity generation but with a very high potentials for fisheries production.
The influx of fishers from all over Nigeria coupled with the haphazard manner the fisheries of the
lakewerebeing exploited resulted in the lake being over fished (Ita, 1983). Between 1993 and 2001
the German Government through its bilateral cooperation agreement with Nigeria, funded the
fisheries development programme for Kainji Lake. The intervention was not without its gains to the
country. Prominent among these gains were the implementation of the first inland community-based
fisheries management, reliable fishery statistics for the lake, annual fishers licensing resulting in the
generation of about N4 million revenue within four years of its implementation. The project officially
terminated in 2001 and was replaced by a body known as the Kainji Lake Fisheries Management
Unit to continue with its operations. Five years after the expiration of the technical assistance, the
story has changed. This has created some pains in the minds of those who contributed to the
success story recorded while the project lasted. This lack of sustainability may discourage future
assistance. This paper calls for genuine commitment by our governments is fisheries if to make
significant contribution to our national food security
