NIGERIA has been ranked as the highest food-wasting nation in Africa, with an estimated 38 million tonnes of food lost annually, according to the European Union.
News Point Nigeria reports that the alarming figure was disclosed during the commemoration of the International Zero Waste Day in Abuja, where stakeholders called for urgent and coordinated action to address food waste and promote sustainable consumption and production.
The event, themed “Food Waste Reduction – Minimisation and Valorisation,” brought together representatives of the Federal Government, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and development partners to highlight the scale of the crisis and propose solutions.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, described Nigeria’s food waste levels as deeply concerning.
He noted that beyond the loss of food itself, the crisis represents a massive waste of resources such as water, energy, labour, and capital.
“Globally, in 2022 alone, nearly one billion tonnes of food almost one-fifth of all food available to consumers was wasted,” he said.
“This is not just a loss of food; it is a squandering of precious resources, a missed opportunity to combat hunger, and a direct threat to our planet’s health.”
Vergos further warned that food waste is a significant contributor to environmental degradation, accounting for up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions—nearly five times that of the aviation sector and as much as 40 per cent of global methane emissions.
These emissions, he said, are accelerating climate change and undermining global efforts to build a zero-waste, circular economy.
Highlighting steps already taken by Nigeria, the EU envoy pointed to key initiatives such as the Circular Economy Roadmap, the establishment of an Interministerial Circular Economy Committee, and ongoing efforts to develop a National Plastic Waste Management Regulation.
“These are not small gestures; they are structural shifts,” Vergos said, adding that Nigeria is demonstrating a willingness to tackle its challenges internally.
Drawing from the EU’s experience, he outlined three priority areas for Nigeria to reduce food waste and improve food security:
He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through funding, technical cooperation, and strategic partnerships.
In his keynote address, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling food waste as part of broader environmental and economic reforms.
“Food waste remains a significant challenge that affects not only our environment but also our economy and society,” he said.
“Every discarded meal represents wasted resources, while many Nigerians continue to face food insecurity.”
He disclosed that the ministry has initiated projects targeting food waste elimination in major markets across the country, particularly focusing on post-harvest losses.
Also speaking, Philbert Johnson, Director of the UNIDO Sub-Regional Office in Nigeria, stressed the broader implications of inefficient food systems.
“Food is far more than a commodity, it is a foundation of wealth, a driver of health, and a pillar of security,” he said.
“When food systems fail, the consequences ripple across our economies, our environment, and our communities.”
He reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agro-industrial systems.