Nigeria imported 62,000 tonnes of U.S. soybeans in early 2025, marking its first soybean import from the United States in six years, according to the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC).
Speaking at the USSEC & U.S. Soy Nigeria: Now Conference 2026 in Lagos, Executive Director of the Soy Excellence Center & Sub-Saharan Africa, Brent Babb, said the development reflects growing demand for protein and the expanding opportunities within Nigeria’s agriculture and livestock sectors.
Babb noted that while Nigeria remains a major soybean producer, rising consumption will require increased imports to complement local production rather than compete with it. He said USSEC is committed to partnering with poultry, aquaculture, livestock, and food processors to strengthen the soybean value chain through technology transfer, capacity building, and market development.
He highlighted the nutritional and economic benefits of U.S. soybeans, citing their high digestible amino acid content, consistent quality, and energy value, which help improve feed efficiency and reduce production costs.
Babb also identified financing, value chain consistency, and inflationary pressures as key challenges but expressed confidence in Nigeria’s long-term agricultural potential, describing the country as well-positioned to drive growth in the region’s soybean industry.
Also speaking at the conference, U.S. Soybean Export Council Director Cindy Pulskamp advocated greater collaboration with Nigerian farmers, while Chair of the Soy Excellence Centre Global Advisory Panel, Anne Meis, revealed that more than 1,200 Nigerians completed Soy Excellence Centre training programmes this year, helping improve productivity, profitability, and sustainable farming practices across the agricultural value chain.
