Nigeria wastes roughly 38 million tonnes of food every year, more than any other country in Africa, the European Union has said.

The Deputy Ambassador, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos disclosed this during the commemoration of this year’s International Zero Waste Day, with the theme “Food waste reduction – minimisation and valorisation.”

During the event, the European Union (EU), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the Federal Government called for urgent action to end food waste and promote sustainable consumption and production.

They noted that when food is wasted, the water, energy, and labour that went into producing it are also wasted, while accelerating climate change and undermining global efforts to build a zero-waste circular future.

Vergos noted that, globally, in 2022 alone, nearly one billion tonnes of food, almost one fifth of all food available to consumers, was wasted.

“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,” he added.

The envoy further noted that food loss and waste are major drivers of environmental degradation, contributing up to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, nearly five times the emissions of the entire aviation sector, and accounting for as much as 40 percent of global methane emissions.

While highlighting some of the government’s efforts, he said, “The Nigeria circular Economy Roadmap, the establishment of the Interministerial circular Economy Committee, the push to develop a National Plastic Waste Management Regulation , these are not small gestures. These are structural shifts.

“These signal that Nigeria is not waiting for someone else to solve its problem; it is building the system to solve it from within. Now, today’s theme, food waste reduction, minimization and valorization, is the right conversation at the right moment.”

Vergos further shared three key lessons from the EU’s experience to help Nigeria reduce food waste and boost food security.

First, he urged the country to invest in rural roads, storage, and cold chains to fix the “last mile” beyond the farm.

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Second, he urged the country to promote processing of fresh produce into value-added products like tomato paste and cassava flour by linking smallholder farmers to processors and markets.

Lastly, he called on the government to embed zero waste, recycling, and resource saving into the school curriculum from primary level to build a sustainable culture in the next generation.

Reiterating the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to curb food waste, he said, “The EU stands ready to be your partner in that work, through funding, through technical cooperation, and through genuine solidarity.”

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal restated the government’s commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices towards securing the health and well-being of our Nigerians.

He said, “Food waste remains a significant challenge that affects not only our environment, but also our economy and society. Every discarded meal represents wasted resources such as water, energy, labour, and capital, while Nigerians continue to face food insecurity. Addressing food waste is therefore central to sustainable development and ensuring a healthier future for all.

“The Federal Ministry of Environment, in this year’s national appropriation, has developed projects on food waste elimination in major markets around Nigeria. And this is to show you that the Federal Ministry of Environment is tackling the issues of food waste at its core, especially post-harvest losses.”

Stating that addressing food waste aligns perfectly with the Ministry’s core objectives, he added, “Reducing food waste will not only help to lower pollution and greenhouse gases, but also conserve valuable resources and promote more efficient and responsible consumption patterns across households, businesses, and institutions.”

The Director and Representative, UNIDO Sub-Regional Office, Nigeria, Philbert Johnson said that while food is good, none should go to waste, especially when the country has issues of food insecurity and malnutrition.

He said, “Food is far more than a commodity: it is a foundation of wealth, a driver of health, and a pillar of security. It sustains our homes, supports industries, and underpins the stability of our societies.

“When food systems function efficiently, they generate income, enhance resilience, and improve well-being. When food systems fail, when food is lost or wasted, the consequences ripple across our economies, our environment, and our communities.”

He therefore reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to support the government of Nigeria in building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agro-industrial systems. (The Nation)