The alarming rate of post-harvest losses in Nigeria has led to a staggering N3.5 trillion annual revenue loss, with a significant portion of agricultural produce never reaching consumers. Ahmed Alex Omah, a global ambassador for the World Packaging Organisation, believes that proper packaging can significantly reduce this loss.
Omah emphasised the critical role of packaging in preserving food quality, extending shelf life, and minimizing waste. “Between the farm gate and your dining table, N3.5 trillion worth of food is lost every year, yet people are saying they are hungry,” he lamented.
He stressed that Nigeria needs to adopt better packaging solutions to curb losses and enhance food security. He also highlighted the importance of recognising packaging as a critical industry, as seen in developed economies.
According to him, currently, no Nigerian university offers packaging as a standalone course, which, as he said , is a stark contrast to countries where packaging is a specialised field of study. He, therefore, indicated that his organisation is collaborating with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO to push for legislation that will institutionalise packaging education in Nigeria.
Omah explained further, “For most countries around the world, in their tertiary institution, they offer packaging as a course that stands alone. There is no Nigerian university that is offering packaging as a course.”
He also emphasised that packaging extends beyond food, playing a vital role in pharmaceuticals, textiles, and other industries. “So, packaging will extend the shelf life of this food. Packaging will help you move food from the farm gates to the dining table, keeping it fresh the same way it left the farm, extending the life; giving you nutritious food to eat,” he stated.
Omah stressed that the Nigeria must prioritise packaging education and regulation to align with global standards. “We need an act of parliament to make packaging a structured industry in Nigeria, just as it is in developed countries. That’s where we are heading,” he affirmed.
