Nigeria wastes an estimated 38 million tonnes of food annually — the highest on the African continent — the European Union has revealed, warning of severe economic, environmental and food security implications.

The disclosure was made by the Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, during activities marking the International Zero Waste Day.

“Nigeria wastes roughly 38 million tonnes of food every year… 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,” Vergos said.

He noted that globally, nearly one billion tonnes of food — about one-fifth of all food available to consumers — was wasted in 2022 alone, stressing that food waste contributes up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The EU, alongside the Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), called for urgent measures to tackle the crisis, linking food waste directly to climate change, resource depletion and rising hunger.

Vergos outlined key steps Nigeria must take, including investment in rural infrastructure such as roads, storage facilities and cold chains, as well as promoting food processing to reduce post-harvest losses.

He also urged the integration of zero-waste principles into school curricula to build long-term behavioural change.

Highlighting ongoing efforts, he commended Nigeria’s circular economy roadmap and moves toward a national plastic waste regulation, describing them as “structural shifts” toward sustainability.

“The EU stands ready to be your partner… through funding, technical cooperation, and genuine solidarity,” he added.

Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, acknowledged that food waste remains a major national challenge affecting both the economy and public welfare.

“Every discarded meal represents wasted resources… while Nigerians continue to face food insecurity,” he said, adding that the government has initiated projects targeting food waste reduction in major markets.

Lawal stressed that cutting food waste would reduce pollution, conserve resources and promote responsible consumption.

Similarly, UNIDO’s representative, Philbert Johnson, described food as “a foundation of wealth” and warned that inefficiencies in food systems have far-reaching consequences.

“When food systems fail… the consequences ripple across our economies, our environment, and our communities,” he said.

Stakeholders say tackling food waste is critical to improving food security in Nigeria, where millions still face hunger despite significant agricultural output.