The World Aquaculture Society (WAS) has urged diplomatic intervention to lift the United States restriction on Nigerian smoked catfish exports, warning that the ban, which has persisted since 2018, is crippling thousands of fish farmers and processors.
Olarenwaju Badmus, its global director, who is also CEO of Aquaglobal Inter Solutions, made the call during a meeting with Lateef Kayode Are, the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Nigeria to the United States, in Washington.
The meeting was aimed at presenting a case for diplomatic action to reopen the American market to Nigerian fish products.
During the engagement, Badmus commended the Federal Department of Fisheries for its concerted, ongoing efforts and dedicated steps toward resolving the regulatory bottlenecks surrounding the ban.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ban covers Nigeria’s smoked catfish (siluriformes) and all fish products. The persistent restriction has blocked a key foreign exchange window for Africa’s most populous nation.
The impact has been severe. Nigeria lost about N576 million ($1.6 million) annually, according to industry estimates. The losses have cut across thousands of fish farmers, processors and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating across the aquaculture value chain.
Speaking on the economic strain, Badmus said the trade barrier disrupts an essential export market for Nigerian processors and weakens rural economic resilience.
The subsector, which sustains women and youth in coastal and riverine communities, has also seen its formalisation and expansion slowed by the loss of U.S. market access.
As part of the strategic push for resumption, Badmus is urging U.S. regulators and trade officials to actively engage with Nigerian authorities.
He proposed a collaborative framework focused on establishing a clear private sector compliance structure and addressing regulatory benchmarks required to safely reopen market access.
Advocates stress that lifting the ban will protect livelihoods, strengthen regional food security and bolster bilateral trade between both countries.
