The Organization for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA) has disclosed that Nigeria recorded between N3.5 trillion and N5 trillion in post-harvest losses in 2025.

The President of OTACCWA, Alexander Isong, disclosed this in an interview in Lagos.

Isong also said the country lost an estimated 30 to 40 million metric tonnes of food across major value chains.

“In 2025, Nigeria lost an estimated 30 to 40 million metric tonnes of food to post-harvest inefficiencies across major value chains, particularly tomatoes, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, fish, and root crops.

“In monetary terms, this translates to approximately ₦3.

He explained that the losses represented food that had already been cultivated, harvested and transported.

“When such volumes are lost due to inadequate cold storage, poor logistics, and weak infrastructure, the country is effectively losing Gross Domestic Product that has already been created.

“Farmers had already invested in land preparation, seedlings, fertiliser, labour, irrigation and transport before these products were lost due to weak cold storage and logistics systems.

“Post-harvest loss is not just an agricultural problem, it is an infrastructure and economic challenge,” he said.

Isong, also the Country Director – Nigeria for World Agriculture Forum, noted that without certified cold chain systems, Nigeria would continue to struggle with food inflation, reduced farmer income and limited export competitiveness.

He stressed the need for urgent national investment in refrigerated transport, aggregation centres and modular cold storage facilities to curb the losses.

He described cold chain infrastructure as the missing link between agricultural production and economic prosperity.

Isong described lack of adequate cold storage facilities as the primary obstacle which severely hampers efforts to address post-harvest losses.

“Cold chain is an integral part of agriculture, and without sufficient investment, the sector’s growth and potential is severely limited,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Leo Stan Ekeh on his 70th birthday, describing him as a pioneering innovator in Nigeria’s information technology sector.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday.

Tinubu recalled the inauguration of Zinox’s indigenous computer products in 2001 and described it as a groundbreaking moment for local technology production in Nigeria.

“Leo Stan Ekeh is one of Nigeria’s pioneering innovators in the information technology sector,” he said.

The President commended Ekeh for his contributions to manufacturing and the growth of the nation’s information technology ecosystem, adding that he had remained a pace-setter and dynamic industrialist.

He said the entrepreneur had continued to promote the Nigerian brand and create opportunities for young Nigerians through his investments.

“As he celebrates his Platinum Jubilee, I wish him good health and more years of groundbreaking accomplishments,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu played a key role at the 2001 inauguration of Zinox products in Lagos when he was the Governor of Lagos State.

He also graced the inauguration at Eko Hotel and Conference Centre and endorsed indigenous technology production, describing it as a bold step for Nigeria’s economy.

Ekeh currently chairs Zinox Group, which comprises Zinox Technologies, Task Systems, TD Africa, Konga, and TD Mobile, among other companies.

The Senate of the University of Abuja, has approved the expulsion of 28 students, over various disciplinary offences.

The university disclosed this in a statement by Dr. Habib Yakoob, acting Director, Information and University Relations, issued to newsmen  on Sunday Abuja.

The institution is now known as the Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.

Yakoob said that the decision to expel the students was taken at the regular meeting of the Senate, following consideration of the report and recommendations of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee (SDC).

He explained that the offences for which the affected students were found culpable included threat to life and assault, examination malpractice, conspiracy, burglary, theft, cult-related activities, as well as possession and use of hard drugs.

He listed other offences as falsification of ‘O’ Level results uploaded on the university’s portal for admission, as well as failure to appear before the disciplinary committee, after repeated invitations.

The university’s spokesperson disclosed that the senate also approved the withdrawal of certificates of 15 former students, who failed to honour invitations by the committee in spite of several notices.

He said that nine students were exonerated after investigations, while 33 others received warnings for various infractions, including conspiracy, hostel racketeering and fighting.

The Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Senate of the university, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, while reacting to the development, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment.

Fawehinmi stated that the institution would continue to uphold discipline and enforce its rules and regulations without compromise.

He commended the SDC for its thorough and diligent handling of the cases, while urging the students to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid actions that could jeopardise their academic pursuits.

“The academic integrity of the university is sacrosanct and we are determined that anyone who violates it, will be appropriately sanctioned.

“Our goal is not only to enforce discipline, but also to guide our students toward responsible citizenship and academic excellence,” he said.

The vice-chancellor added that the university would continue to strengthen student engagement, counseling, and orientation programmes, aimed at promoting responsible conduct and preventing disciplinary infractions.