Nigeria loses an estimated 38 million tonnes of food every year, the highest in Africa, according to the European Union (EU).
The EU, alongside the Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), has called for urgent action to curb food waste and promote sustainable consumption.
Speaking to mark this year’s International Zero Waste Day, EU Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, described food waste as a major economic and environmental threat.
He noted that wasted food also means wasted water, energy, and labour, while accelerating climate change and weakening global sustainability efforts.
Globally, nearly one billion tonnes of food—about one-fifth of all food available to consumers was wasted in 2022 alone.
Vergos added that food loss contributes up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 40% of methane emissions, making it a critical environmental issue.
He highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing efforts, including its circular economy roadmap, inter-ministerial coordination, and proposed national plastic waste regulations, describing them as significant structural reforms.
To address the crisis, the EU recommended three key actions:
*Invest in rural roads, storage systems, and cold chain infrastructure
*Promote agro-processing to convert produce into value-added goods
*Integrate zero-waste education into school curricula
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling food waste, noting that new projects targeting post-harvest losses in major markets have been included in the national budget.
He stressed that reducing food waste would lower pollution, conserve resources, and improve food security across the country.
UNIDO’s representative in Nigeria, Philbert Johnson, also warned that food waste undermines economic stability, public health, and national development.
He reiterated the organisation’s support for Nigeria in building a more resilient and sustainable agro-industrial system.