Nigeria tops Africa in food waste as 38m tonnes lost annually

Nigeria has emerged as the highest food-wasting country in Africa, with an estimated 38 million tonnes of food lost each year, prompting urgent calls for action from the European Union, the Federal Government, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

The warning was issued during the commemoration of the International Zero Waste Day in Abuja, where stakeholders highlighted the environmental and economic consequences of food wastage, stressing that resources such as water, energy, and labour are squandered when food is discarded.

In a statement released by the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, the Deputy Ambassador, Zissimos Vergos, described the scale of the crisis as alarming, noting that Nigeria leads the continent in food losses.

He pointed out that, globally, nearly one billion tonnes of food were wasted in 2022 alone, representing almost 20 per cent of all food available to consumers. “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.

Vergos further 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 worldwide.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s efforts to tackle the issue, 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.

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“These signals 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, minimisation, and valorisation, is the right conversation in the right moment.”

He also outlined key strategies Nigeria could adopt, including improving rural infrastructure such as storage and cold chains, boosting agro-processing to reduce post-harvest losses, and integrating zero-waste education into school curricula.

Reaffirming the EU’s support, Vergos said, “The EU stands ready to be your partner in that work, through funding, through technical cooperation, and through genuine solidarity.”

Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing food waste as part of broader sustainability goals.

“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.”

He added that tackling food waste aligns with efforts to reduce pollution and promote efficient consumption patterns. “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.”

In his remarks, the Director and Representative of UNIDO’s Sub-Regional Office in Nigeria, Philbert Johnson, underscored the broader implications of food waste on national development.

“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 reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in building a more resilient and sustainable agro-industrial system.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that addressing Nigeria’s food waste crisis is critical not only for environmental sustainability but also for improving food security and economic stability across the country.

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