Stakeholders in Nigeria’s feed industry and Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) Sector, have called for urgent policy reforms, increased investment, and stronger research coordination to accelerate the adoption of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as an alternative protein source for animal feed.

They made the appeal at a National Roundtable on Black Soldier Fly Larvae Development in Nigeria, held at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event, with the theme:  “Aligning Science, Enterprise, and Policy to Scale Insect-based Feed Solutions,” brought together policymakers, researchers, regulators, private investors, and BSFL farming entrepreneurs to map out strategies for integrating insect protein into Nigeria’s agricultural system.

In his opening remarks, the Country Representative of the institute, Dr. Tunde Amole, described BSFL as a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s growing livestock feed crisis.

According to him, black soldier fly larvae can feed on organic waste including market and kitchen refuse and develop into high-protein feed within 10 to 14 days.

“It contains about 40 to 45 per cent protein, making it a viable alternative to some protein source feed ingredients in poultry, fish, and pig feed ration if produced sustainably,” he said.

Amole noted growing interest from feed manufacturers, stressing that supply, not demand remains the major constraint.

“The question now is who can produce at commercial scale,” he added.

He also highlighted Nigeria’s comparative advantage, citing its tropical climate and abundant organic waste, which support year-round production without the need for expensive temperature control systems.

However, he emphasised the need for standardisation to ensure consistency in nutrient quality and safety across producers.

Also speaking, a Senior Scaling and Innovation Expert from the institutes’ headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Ijudai Jasada, identified fragmentation within the BSFL value chain as a major barrier to scale. “We need a coordinated system that connects all actors and reduces inefficiencies,” he said.

Stakeholders at the event reached a consensus that ILRI should take the lead in establishing and championing a national platform on BSFL.

Jasada said plans are underway to establish a national coordination platform to improve collaboration, attract investment, and support long-term growth of the sector.

He added that the goal is to integrate insect-based feed into Nigeria’s mainstream feed industry by 2030, while creating employment opportunities for women and youth.

On capacity development, Prof. Cordelia Ifeyinwa Ebenebe of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambr State, acknowledged the training efforts by development partners and institutions but warned that Nigeria’s regulatory framework for insect-based feed remains underdeveloped.

She noted that standards are still evolving and are expected to align with benchmarks being developed by the African Organisation for Standardisation.

Similarly, Prof. Olugbenga Adeniran Ogunwole stressed the importance of safety assurance and regulatory clarity, warning that policy gaps could hinder large-scale adoption.

He identified key challenges, including variability in nutrient composition, digestibility concerns linked to chitin content, and relatively high production costs.

Industry operators also highlighted operational constraints. A BSFL producer, Mr. Kolawole Ogunleye, said large-scale production remains difficult due to limited access to equipment, financing, and infrastructure. “The process is labour-intensive, and most of the equipment is still imported,” he said.

The Country Representative of New Generation Nutrition (NGN), Mr. John Amole, described insect protein as a growing but still underutilised solution in Nigeria.

He noted that although insect meal has been approved as a feed ingredient, it has yet to gain widespread market acceptance. “There is interest, but the ecosystem is still developing, and there are no guaranteed off-takers,” he said.

Sharing international experience, Ms Talash Huijbers of InsectiPro, Kenya, highlighted the success of circular economy models that convert organic waste into protein and fertiliser.

“It reduces dependence on fishmeal while improving productivity and environmental sustainability,” he said.

Participants noted that Nigeria’s large volume of organic waste presents a major opportunity for scaling such models, while also addressing environmental concerns.

They also identified additional applications of BSFL in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biotechnology, particularly through derivatives such as chitin and antimicrobial compounds.