- EU revealed Nigeria wastes about 38 million tonnes of food yearly
- FG pledged stronger policies to reduce food waste and emissions
- Stakeholders called for sustainable practices and better food systems
The European Union, in collaboration with the Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has called for urgent and coordinated action to tackle food waste and promote sustainable consumption practices in Nigeria.
The appeal was made on Thursday in Abuja during the commemoration of International Zero Waste Day, themed “Food waste reduction – minimisation and valorisation.”
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, revealed that Nigeria wastes approximately 38 million tonnes of food annually—the highest figure on the African continent.
He highlighted the global scale of the problem, noting that nearly one billion tonnes of food—almost one-fifth of all food available to consumers—was wasted worldwide in 2022 alone.
“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 said.
He explained that food loss and waste significantly contribute to environmental degradation, accounting for up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 40 per cent of methane emissions.
Vergos commended Nigeria’s ongoing policy efforts towards sustainability, including the Nigeria Circular Economy Roadmap and plans for a National Plastic Waste Management Regulation, describing them as important structural reforms.
Drawing from the EU’s experience, he outlined key measures to reduce food waste, including investment in rural infrastructure such as roads, storage facilities and cold-chain logistics to curb post-harvest losses. He also advocated for increased processing of agricultural produce into value-added products like tomato paste and cassava flour, as well as stronger links between farmers, processors and markets.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of embedding sustainability education into school curricula to encourage responsible consumption from an early age.
In his keynote address, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing food waste as part of broader environmental and economic reforms.
“Food waste remains a major challenge affecting not only our environment but also our economy and society,” Lawal said, noting that it represents wasted resources even as many Nigerians face food insecurity.
He disclosed that the ministry has included projects aimed at reducing food waste in major markets within the national budget, particularly to tackle post-harvest losses.
Also speaking, Philbert Johnson, Director of the UNIDO Sub-Regional Office in Nigeria, emphasised the importance of efficient food systems in driving economic growth, public health and social stability.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that tackling food waste is critical to achieving sustainable development goals, reducing environmental impact and improving food security for vulnerable populations across the country.