By Ahmed Abdulaziz
The European Union (EU), the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) have issued an urgent call for action to curb the staggering levels of food waste in Nigeria, citing its devastating impact on the economy, food security, and the environment.
The disclosure was made in Abuja on Monday by Zissimos Vergos, Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, during the commemoration of International Zero Waste Day. This year’s theme, “Food waste reduction – minimisation and valorisation,” focused on structural shifts needed to build a sustainable, circular economy.
According to Ambassador Vergos, Nigeria wastes approximately 38 million tonnes of food annually, a figure that ranks the country as the highest food waster on the African continent. This local crisis mirrors a global trend; in 2022 alone, nearly one billion tonnes of food—roughly one-fifth of all food available to consumers—was wasted worldwide.
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“This is not just a loss of food,” Vergos stated. “It is a squandering of precious resources, a missed opportunity to combat hunger, and a direct threat to our planet’s health.”
The delegation noted that wasting food also means wasting the water, energy, and labour invested in its production. Environmentally, food loss and waste are responsible for up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions—nearly five times the emissions of the entire aviation sector—and account for 40 per cent of global methane emissions.
Despite the grim statistics, the EU commended Nigeria’s proactive steps toward a circular economy. Vergos highlighted several key government initiatives, including the Nigeria Circular Economy Roadmap, the development of a National Plastic Waste Management Regulation, among others.
“These are not small gestures; these are structural shifts,” Vergos said. “Nigeria is building the system to solve its problems from within.”
Drawing from the European Union’s experience, the Deputy Ambassador proposed three strategic pillars to help Nigeria reduce waste and enhance food security. Vergos urged the country to invest heavily in rural roads, storage facilities, and cold chains to bridge the gap between farms and consumers.
He said Nigeria should move toward processing fresh produce into long-lasting products, such as tomato paste and cassava flour, by linking smallholder farmers directly to processors and markets. To foster a sustainable culture, the EU suggested embedding zero-waste, recycling, and resource-saving principles into the primary school curriculum.
The EU reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s journey toward a zero-waste future. “The EU stands ready to be your partner in that work, through funding, through technical cooperation, and through genuine solidarity,” Vergos concluded.
The statement emphasizes that achieving a zero-waste circular future is essential not only for Nigeria’s food security but also for global efforts to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable consumption.
