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Nigeria has been identified as the largest food-wasting country in Africa, with an estimated 38 million tonnes of food lost every year, according to data shared by the European Union and development partners. The revelation was made during the commemoration of International Zero Waste Day in Abuja, where stakeholders raised concern over the scale of food loss across the country. 
Experts say the massive food waste is driven largely by poor storage systems, inadequate transportation, and post-harvest losses, as well as inefficient consumption patterns. They warned that when food is wasted, valuable resources such as water, energy, labour, and capital used in production are also lost, worsening both economic and environmental challenges. 
The development has sparked urgent calls for action, with the EU, Nigerian government, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation urging investment in better storage facilities, rural infrastructure, and food processing systems. They stressed that reducing food waste is critical not only for improving food security but also for tackling climate change and supporting sustainable development in Nigeria.
