The American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (ASA WISHH) has entered a new partnership with Nigerian agribusiness firm, SejFarms Consult Limited, to deepen U.S.–Nigeria commercial ties in aquaculture.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria, Lagos Consulate, announced the agreement on Friday, highlighting that both parties also hosted a graduation ceremony for the Next Gen Leaders for Aquaculture Innovation Programme.
Through the initiative, 10 young Nigerian aquaculture leaders—selected through a competitive process—completed a five-month training programme on modern fish farming practices, including the use of soy-based feed.
Speaking at the ceremony, U.S. Mission Agricultural Counsellor, Chris Bielecki, stressed that agriculture remains central to U.S.–Nigeria commercial and investment relations.
As part of the collaboration, ASA WISHH and SejFarms signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Nigeria’s fish production sector.
Managing Director of SejFarms, Sejiro Michael Oke-Tojinu, described the MoU as a commitment to drive growth in aquaculture and expand training opportunities for young Nigerians. He noted that fostering innovation and high-quality feed production would help strengthen Nigeria’s food security and economic stability.
Jamie Beyer, ASA Director and a Minnesota soybean farmer, commended the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service for supporting the initiative, while Nancy Kavazanjian, a Wisconsin soybean farmer and ASA WISHH delegate, underscored the potential of U.S. soy to boost Nigeria’s aquaculture industry.
With U.S.–Nigeria agricultural trade valued at $429 million in 2024 and projected to more than double in 2025, the U.S. Mission reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening agribusiness collaboration between both countries.
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