The state of food loss and waste in Nigeria: Causes, impacts, efforts to reduce the menace and way forward

Abstract

Background: Nigeria, the giant of Africa is faced with food insecurity, and the amount of food lost and wasted is a huge contributor to the ravaging hunger faced by the populace. Reducing Food Loss and Waste (FLW) in Nigeria has become a global concern.

Objective: To review the current state of FLW in Nigeria, the likely causes, the economic social, and environmental impact, and the efforts to reduce the menace.

Methods: Over Fifty relevant scientific published articles relating to FLW that are within ten years of publication and current news (not more than five years) on FLW from reputable newspapers were sourced online through Elsevier, google scholar, and research gate among others.

Results: Increased insecurity, poor quality inputs, poor road networks, and transportation coupled with poor packaging have been identified as some of the causes of FLW in Nigeria, the entire food system is found to be affected by FLW as well as the nation's economy. Among several strategies employed to mitigate FLW, transiting to a circular economy seems to be succeeding as evidenced in some parts of the country.

Conclusions: continuity of programs that could reduce FLW in Nigeria is not encouraging and should be encouraged by the government at all levels.