By Abdullahi Lukman
The European Union, Nigeria’s Federal Government, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation have called for urgent measures to tackle food waste and promote sustainable consumption, warning that Nigeria discards about 38 million tonnes of food annually—the highest in Africa.
The call was made in Abuja during the commemoration of International Zero Waste Day, where stakeholders highlighted the environmental and economic consequences of food loss.
According to the EU, nearly one billion tonnes of food was wasted globally in 2022, representing almost one-fifth of all food available to consumers.
EU Deputy Ambassador Zissimos Vergos said food waste not only represents lost nutrition but also wastes critical resources such as water, energy, and labour, while contributing significantly to climate change.
He noted that food loss and waste account for up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and about 40 per cent of methane emissions.
The Nigerian government outlined ongoing efforts to address the issue, including the Circular Economy Roadmap, the Interministerial Circular Economy Committee, and plans for a National Plastic Waste Management Regulation.
Authorities also revealed that projects targeting food waste reduction in major markets have been included in the national budget.
Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal said reducing food waste is essential for environmental protection, economic stability, and food security, noting that post-harvest losses remain a major
concern.
Vergos shared key recommendations based on the EU’s experience, urging Nigeria to improve rural infrastructure such as roads, storage, and cold chains, promote value addition by linking farmers to processors, and integrate zero-waste education into school curricula.
UNIDO representative Philbert Johnson emphasised the broader impact of food systems, stating that inefficiencies in food production and distribution affect economies, communities, and environmental sustainability.
The EU reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria through funding, technical cooperation, and partnerships aimed at building a more sustainable and resilient food system.
