The U.S. Mission in Nigeria, in collaboration with the American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (ASA WISHH) and SejFarms Consult Limited (SejFarms), has launched a new initiative aimed at improving Nigeria’s aquaculture industry.
As part of the initiative, 10 young Nigerian leaders in aquaculture, selected through a competitive process, were given the opportunity to gain practical experience in modern fish farming.
The participants underwent a comprehensive five-month training programme, learning key techniques, including the use of soybeans in fish feed, which is considered crucial for enhancing the quality of fish farming practices.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Chris Bielecki, Agricultural Counselor at the U.S. Mission, highlighted the importance of agriculture in the U.S.-Nigeria partnership, noting that fostering innovation in the sector contributes to both food security and economic stability in Nigeria.
The partnership between ASA WISHH and SejFarms was further solidified with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which will extend their collaboration over the next three years.
This agreement is expected to boost fish production in Nigeria and help create new opportunities for young Nigerians in the aquaculture field.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and CEO of SejFarms, Sejiro Michael Oke-Tojinu, stressed the role of the MOU in supporting the growth of aquaculture in Nigeria.
He noted that this initiative would also offer further training in producing high-quality fish feed, an essential component of sustainable fish farming.
Jamie Beyer, an ASA Director and Minnesota soybean farmer, thanked the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service for its support in helping to enhance agricultural trade between the U.S. and Nigeria.
He pointed out that this partnership had great potential for expanding the reach of U.S. soybeans in Nigeria’s growing aquaculture sector.
Nancy Kavazanjian, a Wisconsin soybean farmer and member of the ASA WISHH trade delegation to Nigeria, also noted that the partnership would strengthen the local aquaculture industry and provide lasting benefits to the region.
The U.S. Mission has been working to enhance collaboration between U.S. and Nigerian agribusinesses. In 2024, bilateral agricultural trade between the two countries reached $429 million, with expectations to more than double in 2025.
