It is estimated that about 40 percent of food produced in Nigeria is lost before it gets to market due to inadequate processing, packaging and storage. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said this recently. The governor was speaking at the 11th edition of the PROPAK West Africa 2024: Smart Packaging Conference in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu, who tasked food industry players on environmental best practice, called for the use of biodegradable and compostable packaging materials by food processing companies, as an eco-friendly option, for a sustainable environment.
Speaking on the theme, “Unlocking Nigeria Food Security: Implementation of Smart Packaging to Reduce Waste”, the governor, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, underscored the role of food packaging and processing industries in driving economic growth.
“The industries represented here today are integral to Nigeria’s economy. They form the backbone of our industrial and manufacturing sectors, supporting various key areas such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and fast-moving consumer goods. The development of these industries is vital to ensuring our national growth and competitiveness in the global market,” he said.
He said further, “Packaging for food security is a national priority as Nigeria continues to grow in both population and economic ambition. Despite our rich agricultural resources, we still face significant post-harvest losses due to inadequate processing, packaging, and storage. In fact, it is estimated that up to 40% of food produced in Nigeria is lost before it reaches the consumer.”
While urging stakeholders to embrace sustainable packaging technologies with urgency, Sanwo-Olu stressed the need for cross-sectoral collaboration to manage plastics responsibly and drive innovations that protect the environment.
“I encourage every stakeholder here to embrace the themes of this year’s event with urgency and determination. We must actively seek out ways to implement smart packaging technologies that ensure food security and reduce waste. We must collaborate across sectors to manage plastics responsibly and push forward innovations that protect both our economy and our environment”, he remarked.
