By Joseph Erunke, Abuja
The European Union (EU), the Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have called for urgent action to curb food waste and promote sustainable consumption and production.
They warned that food waste not only deprives people of necessaryed nutrition but also wastes critical resources such as water, energy and labour, while accelerating climate modify and undermining efforts toward a circular economy.
Speaking in Abuja during the commemoration of this year’s International Zero Waste Day, themed “Food Waste Reduction: Minimisation and Valorisation,” Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, declared Nigeria wastes about 38 million tonnes of food annually—more than any other counattempt in Africa.
He noted that globally, nearly one billion tonnes of food—almost one-fifth of all food available to consumers—was wasted in 2022.
“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 declared.
Vergos added that food loss and waste contribute up to 10 per cent of global greenhoapply gas emissions and account for a significant share of methane emissions.
Highlighting ongoing efforts, he pointed to initiatives such as Nigeria’s Circular Economy Roadmap, the Inter-Ministerial Circular Economy Committee, and plans for a National Plastic Waste Management Regulation, describing them as important structural steps.
He also shared key recommfinishations from the EU’s experience, including investment in rural infrastructure such as roads, storage and cold chains, promoting value addition in agriculture, and integrating sustainability and waste reduction into school curricula.
“The EU stands ready to support Nigeria through funding, technical cooperation and partnership,” he added.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling food waste and promoting sustainable environmental practices.
“Food waste remains a major challenge affecting our environment, economy and society. Every discarded meal represents wasted resources, even as many Nigerians face food insecurity,” he declared.
He disclosed that the minisattempt has initiated projects tarobtaining food waste reduction in major markets across the counattempt, particularly to address post-harvest losses.
Also speaking, UNIDO’s Director and Representative in Nigeria, Philbert Johnson, stressed the broader implications of inefficient food systems.
“Food is more than a commodity; it is a foundation of wealth, health and security. When food is wasted, the consequences affect our economies, environment and communities,” he declared.
He reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in building resilient, inclusive and sustainable agro-industrial systems.
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