ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF FOOD SAFETY, STORAGE AND PROCESSING IN NIGERIA

Food safety remains a critical public health and economic challenge in Nigeria, yet its economic dimensions are often overlooked in policy discourse. This paper provides a comprehensive economic analysis of food safety in Nigeria, examining consumer behaviour, market incentives and the policy environment. Drawing on a synthesis of empirical studies and policy data, the paper analyzes the determinants of consumer willingness to pay for safer food products, the role of information in shaping market outcomes and the diverging beliefs among key stakeholders regarding binding food safety constraints. Findings reveal that there is a significant willingness to pay for certified and tested food products. However, this willingness is highly sensitive to credibility and specificity of risk information. The paper also identified critical misalignment in policy priorities: while some stakeholders emphasize enforcement and legislation, others perceive knowledge gaps and infrastructure deficits as more binding. The paper concludes that effective policy interventions must move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and should focus on targeted information campaigns, strengthening agencies and encouraging investments in cold chains and infrastructure. The analysis contributes to the growing literature on food system transformation in low and middle-income countries by offering evidence-based recommendations for aligning market incentives with public health goals in Nigeria.