West Africa is often associated with challenges such as malnutrition, food security, and water scarcity. However, as African countries, particularly Nigeria, continue to grow and become more densely populated, there is a pressing need to educate people about the importance of balanced, healthy, and sustainable diets. It is crucial to avoid consuming unhealthy Western diets that are high in unsaturated fats, salt, and sugar, which are detrimental to both people and the planet. Hakeem Jimo, co-founder of VeggieVictory, Nigeria’s first plant-based food tech company, emphasizes the importance of preserving Nigeria’s plant-heavy food traditions rather than advocating for a strict vegan diet. Jimo, who also heads up ProVeg’s recently opened Nigerian office, raises concerns about the potential risk of Africa succumbing to a Western model characterized by mass industrial agriculture, fossil-fuel-based inputs, and ultra-processed foods.
As Nigeria’s population continues to increase, meat consumption is projected to rise by over 300% by 2050. This, coupled with the already rising prevalence of “lifestyle” diseases like type 2 diabetes, calls for urgent action. Jimo emphasizes the rich heritage of plant-based foods in Nigeria and calls on global corporations to support and invest in Africa for a sustainable future. While companies like Burger King, Nestle, and Arla have introduced plant-based options in Europe and Asia, Jimo expresses confusion over the lack of such options in Nigeria.
Jimo highlights the need for sustainable food production and believes it is essential to inform citizens about meeting their nutritional needs through plant-based sources. Instead of repeating the mistakes of developed countries, it is crucial that companies bring plant-based food options to Nigeria simultaneously and embrace sustainable food production. This is particularly important as Africa is expected to bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change. The launch of Arla’s plant-based spread takes into account the increasing number of young people choosing more climate-friendly foods. The belief is that young people in Nigeria also envision a future where sustainably produced food is crucial for survival and thriving on an environmentally depleted planet.
Hakeem Jimo will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Climate Smart Food Digital Summit, where he will further discuss these critical issues surrounding sustainable food production in Africa.
