By Juliet Umeh

The Norwegian Seafood Council in Nigeria has renewed its appeal to the federal government to approve zero percent duty on stockfish imports.
The council argues that this measure is crucial for alleviating severe hardship and combating malnutrition, which affects millions of Nigerian households, as highlighted in UNICEF’s June 2024 report indicating that food poverty impacts 11 million Nigerian children.
The push for duty-free stockfish was reinforced during a visit by Christian Chramer, Managing Director/CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council in Africa, who chose Nigeria as his first stop on the continent.
Accompanied by Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Svein Baera, and other delegates, Chramer toured the Oyingbo stockfish market in Lagos and engaged with stakeholders on the economic and nutritional benefits of stockfish.
The Norwegian Seafood Council’s Consultant in Nigeria, Abiodun Cheke, revealed that the federal government, through the Ministry of Trade and Investment, is considering the council’s appeal.
Expressing optimism, she said: “We urge the government to expedite the approval process. Duty-free stockfish will make a world of difference for struggling Nigerian families, providing children with the protein they need to grow and thrive.”
Cheke highlighted Norway’s proactive steps to assist Nigeria, including reducing stockfish prices for importers and distributors. She explained:
“Stockfish is one of the most affordable protein sources and can significantly ease food poverty. For example, a piece of stockfish costing N100 can feed a family of four, compared to an egg priced at N300. We continue to appeal to the government to recognize stockfish as a staple food deserving of zero percent duty.”
Additionally, Cheke emphasized Norway’s contributions to Nigeria’s fisheries sector through investments in capacity building. These include regular training sessions on quality assurance, sustainable fishery practices, and regulatory compliance to enhance the standard of Nigerian fish products.
Also, Chramer reiterated the importance of affordability, stating: “To ensure stockfish remains accessible to Nigerian families, we strongly urge the government to grant it duty-free status. This will help address current economic challenges and allow more families to benefit from this essential high-protein food source.”
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Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Svein Baera also emphasized the significance of stockfish in Nigerian diets, saying:
“It is remarkable how stockfish from northern Norway, thousands of kilometers away, has become an integral part of Nigerian cuisine. However, affordability remains a challenge. We encourage the federal government to include stockfish in the list of goods exempt from import duties to make it more accessible.”
The Norwegian Seafood Council remains hopeful that the government will act swiftly to approve the duty-free status, a move they believe will bolster efforts to fight malnutrition and support struggling families across Nigeria.