Olarenwaju Badmus, the global director of the World Aquaculture Society and chief executive officer of Aquaglobal Inter Solutions, has called on the United States to lift its ban on smoked catfish exports from Nigeria, warning of significant economic implications for producers and rural livelihoods.
Badmus raised the concern while presenting a paper titled “Trade Restrictions and Livelihoods: Evaluating Economic Effects of the U.S. Ban on Nigerian Smoked Catfish Exports’ at the 156th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society in Columbus, Ohio.
He said the restriction has disrupted a key export market for Nigerian processors and undermined income for thousands of fish farmers, processors, and traders who depend on the value chain.
According to Badmus, the ban not only limits Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings from aquaculture but also weakens efforts to formalize and expand the sector.
He urged U.S. regulators and trade officials to engage Nigerian authorities on compliance, standards, and technical support to reopen market access, arguing that lifting the restriction would support livelihoods, food security, and bilateral trade while encouraging investment in sustainable aquaculture across West Africa.
Badmus commended the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture for its efforts towards addressing the trade restriction, noting that the department had submitted the Sanitary Requirements Template (SRT) to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The presentation also drew attention to the need for stronger measures to improve the quality, safety and international competitiveness of Nigerian smoked catfish, particularly as the country seeks to expand its presence in global seafood markets.
The AFS 156 meeting, themed ‘The Heart of Sustainability: Habitat as the Foundation of Productive Fisheries,’ features discussions, technical presentations and networking activities focused on the sustainability and productivity of fisheries and aquatic resources.
The meeting is expected to provide opportunities for experts and stakeholders from different parts of the world to exchange knowledge and explore solutions to challenges confronting the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
The annual meeting was held on the 30th of August to 3rd of September 2026, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, brings together fisheries and aquatic resource professionals to discuss issues affecting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture globally.
