With over 223 million people, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation. It is also the world’s largest producer of African catfish. Annual production was estimated at around 1 million tons in 2021 based on preliminary results in a study conducted by FISH4ACP and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The research took place in an environment where information, such as the number of aquaculture producers and their output, is not known. FISH4ACP collected data in 2021, used an extensive WorldFish dataset, and came to its estimates following triangulation, discussions with key informants, and comparisons. Based on this analysis , Nigeria has about 285 000 producers of which small-scale farmers represent an estimated 60%, while the catfish value chain offers employment to about 1 million people. However, years of annual growth between 2005 and 2015 ended when catfish production started declining in 2016. According to the study , increased production costs and a drop in demand fueled by inflation and devaluation of the national currency are behind this. In response, FISH4ACP sees opportunities in efficiency gains, aimed at reducing production costs and bringing catfish prices down to a more affordable level in order to meet the strong market demand. These opportunities include improved practices in feed, fingerling and fish production, management and distribution. With the bulk of fish farming undertaken in clusters of earthen ponds, strengthening these clusters and improving good production practices are a key priority. Ultimately, the aim is to make this massive and vital value chain more resilient and efficient in providing affordable food to the Nigerian people, creating jobs and business opportunities, while reducing harm to human health and lessening the burden on the environment.