Assessment of household food waste practices in Oyo Metropolis, Nigeria

This study investigates food waste awareness and management behaviours among urban households in Oyo Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria, addressing a critical sustainability issue with implications for food security, environmental protection, and household economics. A descriptive survey design was employed, with data collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 324 adult household members responsible for food management. Descriptive statistics and Chi‑square analyses were employed to analyse and interpret the data. Findings show that 55.5% of respondents reported high awareness of food waste, with spoilage (90.0%) and improper storage (33.8%) identified as the main causes. Common management practices included refrigeration (83.3%) and the use of airtight containers (58.6%). Results from the Chi‑square tests indicated that socio‑demographic factors, particularly age, occupation, household size, and income significantly influenced household food wastage patterns, awareness of food waste issues, and frequency of meal planning. The study highlights the role of socio-demographic factors in shaping sustainable practices and extends the application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour by demonstrating how awareness is mediated by household practices and moderated by socio-cultural and systemic factors. It provides novel insights into household food waste in a rapidly urbanising Nigerian context and offers evidence to guide targeted interventions and policy measures aimed at reducing waste and advancing progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production.