THE Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria (TADAN) has expressed concern over the rapid decline in tilapia farming across the country, warning that the continued importation of tilapia and pangasius is destroying local production, jobs, and Nigeria’s food security.
Speaking on behalf of the association, the National President of TADAN, Mr. Remi Ahmed, disclosed that many tilapia farms and hatcheries were shutting down operations due to lack of market access and rising production costs.
“Many of our members are closing down. In our hatchery, we have started separating male tilapia from female tilapia because there is no need to produce fingerlings anymore. Farmers cannot sell table-size fish, as the market is flooded with cheaper, low-quality imported tilapia from China,” he said.
Ahmed noted that Nigerian tilapia farmers were grappling with unbearable feed prices, high electricity and alternative energy costs, and total absence of meaningful government support.
while import licences for tilapia and pangasius continue to undermine local aquaculture.
“It is contradictory that the same government that encourages local food production is issuing import licences for tilapia and pangasius—species that are actively cultured in Nigeria,” he added.

TADAN said it has consistently engaged the Federal Government through several meetings organised by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, where it expressed its opposition to the importation of tilapia and pangasius.
The association emphasised that it is not against fish importation in general, especially for species not cultivated in Nigeria.
“We do not oppose the importation of pelagic fish such as horse mackerel (kote), herring, tuna, sardine, anchovy, as well as species like barracuda and yellowtail. We are not praying for Nigerians to be denied access to different fish tastes. Our position is strictly against importing tilapia and pangasius,” Ahmed explained.

While the Federal Government has denied issuing import permits for tilapia and pangasius, TADAN raised concerns over smuggling activities, alleging that tilapia is now being imported through Nigerian ports under false labels.
“Imported tilapia is being labelled as ‘puda.’ But when the cartons are opened, they clearly contain tilapia fish. This practice is illegal and is destroying the local aquaculture industry,” he stated.
TADAN therefore urged the Federal Government to take urgent action.
“We call on the Federal Government to immediately restrict and stop the importation of tilapia and pangasius. This is critical to protect local farmers, preserve jobs, encourage domestic investment, and strengthen Nigeria’s food security.”