Highlighting the urgent need for investment, he said Nigeria’s current cold storage system is extremely limited. “We have very small, minute cold rooms that don’t scratch the surface. Only imported fish gets any meaningful cold storage,” he said.
He warned that food insecurity will persist unless post-harvest losses are significantly reduced, arguing that cold chain systems are a foundational solution to this challenge. “Without making post-harvest loss a priority, it will be difficult for Nigeria to end food insecurity,” he said.
The association president also identified deep funding gaps and poor awareness as barriers to developing the sector. He noted that banks and investors in Nigeria often do not understand the economic potential of the cold chain industry, making access to credit difficult for businesses and farmers alike.
He further blamed fragmented government oversight for the sector’s stagnation. “There’s no clear policy direction. Different agencies have overlapping or unclear roles. Nigeria needs a unified cold chain policy to meet global standards,” he added.
The country’s agricultural structure, dominated by smallholder farmers and informal middlemen, adds complexity. Many middlemen are reluctant to embrace cold storage, fearing disruption to their traditional operations.
Environmental factors such as heat and humidity, combined with irregular production cycles, also make the case for stronger cold infrastructure. Without refrigeration, produce can spoil within hours after harvest, and price volatility from seasonal gluts continues to destabilize markets.
According to OTACCWA, improving cold chain systems would not only reduce waste but also increase the diversity of available foods in Nigeria, enhance food safety, and strengthen the country’s food security.
For Nigeria to move beyond its post-harvest losses and improve food availability, the association insists that the cold chain must be seen not as an optional investment, but as an essential component of agricultural development
