By George George Idowu
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged food processing companies to adopt biodegradable and compostable packaging materials to promote environmental sustainability.
He made this call during the 11th edition of the PROPAK West Africa 2024: Smart Packaging Conference, held at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on Wednesday.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose Medebem emphasized the critical role the food packaging industry plays in Nigeria’s economic growth.
Speaking on the theme, “Unlocking Nigeria Food Security: Implementation of Smart Packaging to Reduce Waste,” he highlighted the need for the industry to embrace eco-friendly solutions to drive both economic development and environmental protection.
“The industries represented here today are integral to Nigeria’s economy,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“They form the backbone of our industrial and manufacturing sectors, supporting key areas such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and fast-moving consumer goods.
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The development of these industries is vital to ensuring our national growth and competitiveness in the global market.”
He further underscored the importance of sustainable packaging in addressing Nigeria’s significant post-harvest losses, which contribute to food insecurity.
“Packaging for food security is a national priority,” he said, noting that up to 40% of food produced in Nigeria is lost due to inadequate processing, packaging, and storage.
Governor Sanwo-Olu called for urgent adoption of sustainable packaging technologies and cross-sectoral collaboration to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
On the part of the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin he discussed the global challenge of food loss and waste, which he identified as a major contributor to environmental degradation.
He highlighted that one-third of the world’s food production, approximately 1.3 billion tonnes, is wasted annually, a particularly concerning issue in Africa, where 20% of the population is undernourished.
Dr. Gbadegesin outlined the Lagos State Government’s recent initiatives to address plastic waste and promote sustainable packaging.
He cited the state’s ban on single-use plastics, including styrofoam, introduced in January 2024, as a major step toward reducing environmental harm and shifting the food industry towards more sustainable practices.
