Nigeria and US Strengthen Ties in Aquaculture with New Partnership
In a bid to boost commercial ties between the United States and Nigeria in the aquaculture sector, the American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (ASA WISHH) and Nigeria’s SejFarms Consult Limited (SejFarms) have sealed a new deal. This partnership, announced by the US Mission in Nigeria, Lagos Consulate, aims to promote sustainable aquaculture practices, enhance food security, and foster economic stability in Nigeria.
The partnership was formalized during a graduation ceremony for the Next Gen Leaders for Aquaculture Innovation Programme, which provided 10 young Nigerian leaders in the aquaculture industry with hands-on experience in modern fish farming practices. The programme, which ran for five months, included training on using soybeans in fish feed, a key component of sustainable aquaculture.
According to Chris Bielecki, US Mission Agricultural Counsellor, agriculture is at the heart of the US-Nigeria commercial and investment partnership. “By fostering innovation and promoting best practices, the US soy industry is helping to build a resilient agricultural sector in Nigeria, ensuring long-term food security and economic stability,” he said.
The partnership between ASA WISHH and SejFarms has been reaffirmed through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which aims to expand their collaboration and advance Nigeria’s fish production. Sejiro Michael Oke-Tojinu, Managing Director/CEO of SejFarms, emphasized the importance of the agreement, noting that it demonstrates their commitment to promoting the growth of Nigerian aquaculture and creating new opportunities for young people to be trained in aquaculture.
Jamie Beyer, ASA Director and a Minnesota soybean farmer, expressed appreciation for the support provided by the US Foreign Agricultural Service, which has been instrumental in leveraging resources and programmes to expand US-Nigeria agricultural trade. Nancy Kavazanjian, a Wisconsin soybean farmer and member of the ASA WISHH trade delegation to Nigeria, noted that the partnership showcases the potential of US soy to strengthen Nigeria’s aquaculture industry.
The US Mission is committed to fostering collaboration between US and Nigerian agribusinesses, with bilateral agricultural trade reaching $429 million in 2024 and on track to more than double this figure in 2025. The United States values Nigeria as a key agricultural trade partner, and this partnership is expected to further strengthen their ties in the aquaculture sector.
This new partnership has the potential to promote sustainable aquaculture practices, enhance food security, and foster economic stability in Nigeria, while also promoting US-Nigeria trade relations. As the global demand for seafood continues to grow, partnerships like this one will play a critical role in promoting sustainable aquaculture practices and addressing the challenge of global food security.
