Nigeria Wastes 38 Million Tonnes of Food Annually—Africa’s Highest

Nigeria loses an estimated 38 million tonnes of food each year, the highest figure on the continent. At this year’s International Zero Waste Day in Abuja, the EU, the Federal Government, and a UN industrial development agency urged urgent action to reverse this trend and promote sustainable consumption and production. Food loss also squanders the water, energy, and labor used to grow, process, and transport it. Globally, nearly one billion tonnes of food went to waste in 2022, contributing up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of methane pollution. The government has launched a Circular Economy Roadmap and set up an interministerial committee to tackle waste. Plans include a national plastic waste regulation and market-based projects to reduce post-harvest losses. Key lessons from European experience call for improved rural roads and cold chains, stronger links between farmers and processors, and zero-waste education in schools. Both the EU delegation and its UN partner have pledged funding and technical cooperation. These efforts aim to curb waste, boost food security, and protect the environment for a healthier, more resilient Nigeria.

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