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Aquaculture is vital for food security and livelihoods across Africa, especially Nigeria. Yet conventional production faces sustainability and health challenges, including effluent discharge, and weak food safety oversight. Aquaponics and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) offer climate-smart, water-efficient alternatives that integrate African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and vegetable production within circular food systems. A value chain analysis for development (VCA4D) was conducted for conventional aquaculture, aquaponics and RAS to assess their functional, economic, social, and environmental dimensions in Nigeria. Data was collected from five producers and three processors in Lagos and Ogun States through surveys, experimental prototype, and stakeholder consultations. Conventional aquaculture systems generated higher short-term profits, with limited food safety measures, and imposed greater environmental costs for 1 kg of African Catfish of EUR 2.25. Aquaponics and RAS delivered water efficiency, food safety potential, and social benefits, though profitability was constrained by energy costs and scale. Scaling aquaponics and RAS requires enabling policies, including renewable energy subsidies, credit schemes, simplified certification systems, and capacity building to promote sustainable, safe, and inclusive aquaculture value chains.