“I started with 100 fishes”

A young graduate has shared his success story of how he started his fish farming business with only 100 fishes.

Shodiya Olalekan, a Nigerian graduate, began his career in fish farming soon after graduating from the Federal Polytechnic in Auchi, Edo state.

During an interview with Legit. ng, he described his humble beginnings and stated that his persistence has propelled him to success.

Aside from becoming a well-known farmer in Lagos, he now devotes time to teaching aspiring fish farmers. In his own words:

“After successfully completing my HND at the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, I officially went into fish farming fully. I am a certified catfish farmer and very passionate about educating people about profitable catfish farming. I am also a graphics design enthusiast, a content creator in fish farming, and a foodstuff merchant. Sholeks Farms started with just 100 post fingerlings in a single 1000-litre plastic fish pond, but as of today, it is a 10,000-capacity fish farm.” 

“There is a huge profit margin for properly managed catfish farming in Nigeria. But before deciding to go into the business, bear in mind that high expectations from the business will lead to utmost disappointment. Understanding that it is a livestock business and any business that involves life is a very risky business, and this will help you as a first-timer– it’s prone to loss. Therefore, it is not a business for the faint-hearted.”

“Fish farming in Nigeria is currently a very lucrative business, and it is mainly boosted by the continuous rise in the demand for catfish, which no one can ever meet the demand.”