Nigeria wastes roughly 38 million tonnes of food annually, the highest on the African continent, according to European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS. This revelation came during the International Zero Waste Day commemoration in Abuja, themed “Food waste reduction – minimisation and valorisation.”

Zissimos Vergos highlighted that wasted food also wastes the water, energy, and labour used to produce it, exacerbates climate change, and undermines global efforts for a zero-waste circular economy. Globally, nearly one billion tonnes of food were wasted in 2022 alone, contributing up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of global methane emissions.

He shared three lessons from the EU to help Nigeria tackle the crisis:

Invest in rural roads, storage, and cold chains to address post-harvest losses.

Promote processing of fresh produce into value-added products, linking smallholder farmers to markets.

Integrate zero-waste, recycling, and resource-saving practices into school curricula to foster a sustainable culture among the next generation.

Balarabe Lawal reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to sustainable practices, noting that food waste affects the environment, economy, and society. The Federal Ministry of Environment has developed projects targeting food waste elimination in major markets nationwide.

UNIDO Sub-Regional Office in Nigeria, represented by Amb. Philbert Johnson, emphasized that food sustains homes, supports industries, and underpins societal stability, stressing that efficient food systems boost income, resilience, and well-being.

The EU, Federal Government, and UNIDO collectively urged immediate actions to reduce food waste, conserve resources, and promote responsible consumption and production, positioning Nigeria to tackle its growing food insecurity and environmental challenges.