CULTURE, RELIGION AND CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION - NEXUS TRIAD FUELING FOOD WASTE IN NIGERIA

This review, a vital contribution to the discourse on sustainability, food security and socio-cultural transformation, offers a compelling interdisciplinary exploration of the complex drivers of food waste in Nigeria.It highlighted how in Nigeria, the phenomenon is a multifarious issue profoundly rooted in the country's cultural norms, religious practices, celebrations, exacerbated by excessive consumerism, conspicuous consumption and lavish spending particularly during festivals and religious ceremonies.Furthermore, the article alluded that the backgrounds of the problem transcends logistical inefficiencies or lack of infrastructure; they are complexly tied to societal values and perceptions of status and hospitality.Also, it concluded by postulating that food waste issue in the country is driven not by the surplus or low cost of food but mostly by our caprices, while holding that outside culture, religious practices and conspicuous consumption, consumption habits especially plate food waste contribute significantly to the food waste phenomenon in the country.The article recommended amongst others that food waste reduction should tackle issues across the entire supply chain, from preparation to consumer behavior while emphasizing the need to discard outdated and inefficient practices and reevaluate cultural norms around celebrations and religious festivals.Finally, government should aim to reduce food waste through set targets, create a system to monitor, evaluate and adjust the national strategy for optimal efficiency, ascertaining areas for improvement and make adjustments.