Dr. Oladej gave the charge while delivering a lecture titled: "Harnessing the Impact of Food Science and Technology to Combat Global Food Waste" during the maiden induction held for the graduates of FST, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, OAUSTECH, Okitipupa, Nigeria on Monday, 2nd March, 2026.
According to the don, one third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted annually, while sub-saharan Africa and Nigeria loses up to 40 percent of food, fruits and vegetables at post-harvest stages.
"Over a million people go hungry worldwide, yet we waste enough food to feed them twice over", she lamented.
She stressed that wastage occurs in every stage right from the farm (production) to processing (transportation and industry) to distribution to retail and at reaching the final consumers.
She therefore challenged fresh graduates in the profession to serve as critical agents of change by developing more innovative technologies that would enhance improved processing, preservation, conversion of surpluses into more value-added products, smart sensors and AI-driven early-waste detector and waste reduction strategies to curb food wastages in Nigeria and globally.
Dr. Oladeji highlighted some of the age-long and advanced food preservation techniques currently in n vogue to include dehydration, fermentation, thermal processing, salting and curing, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), smart active packaging , high pressure processing (HPP), edible coating and biopolymers, cold chain optimization, bio-preservation and fermentation among others.
She blamed food waste in Nigeria majorly on the Government as a result of erratic power supply that undermines cold storage, limited processing infrastructure in rural areas, poor road network which increase spoilage during transit and lack of awareness of some available modern preservation techniques by the end users.
"As new inductees of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), you should carry out researches that drive innovation in food harvesting, improved preservation practices and smart packaging and make research outcomes and updates available to industries, farmers, processors and the communities and encourage entrepreneurship by building agri-food businesses that create value from surplus produce to help generate employment", she concluded.
In his remarks, OAUSTECH'S Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Timi Ologunorisa lauded NIFST for the various accomplishments over the years and especially, for providing platforms for professional growth.
Congratulating the inductees, Prof. Ologunorisa proclaimed that the induction of the fresh graduates of the University into NIFST will definitely enhance their employability.
He therefore charged the fresh food professionals from the University to go out and utilize the knowledge and skills acquired while in school to impart their profession positively within and outside the shore of Nigeria.
Speaking in the same vein, NIFST President, Dr. Bola Osinowo disclosed that NIFST is a registered non-profit making body representing food professionals drawn from the Academia, Industry, Government and Research organizations in Nigeria, with a vision to provide good and abundant food for all through service to humanity and the country, resulting in food security and the well being of Nigeria.
"Our mission is to harness the abundance of talents, knowledge and skills among food professionals in Nigeria towards food sufficiency and good nutrition for the masses."
"Give your best to NIFST for the attainment of food safety and sufficiency in the country through impactful researches, collaboration, information sharing and proper application of discoveries", Dr. Osinowo tasked.
In her address, the Chairperson, Western Chapter, Prof. Bolanle Aishat Akinwande asked the inductees to look in the direction of food entrepreneurship by considering the array of agricultural resources that required to be transformed into value-added products and especially, the growing demand for convenient, nutritious and culturally relevant food options.
"As many of you may envision careers within established industries, research institutions or regulatory bodies, I urge you to also consider the powerful avenue of creating your own ventures."
"Never forget that your work as food scientists is a service to humanity. Every product you develop, every research you conduct and every policy you influence has the potential to impact millions of lives. As members of NIFST, you are ambassadors of the profession, both locally and internationally. I enjoin you to lead with integrity, serve with dedication and always strive for excellence, with the awareness that your work can make a profound difference in the society ", Prof. Akinwande submitted.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting H.O.D, Department of Food Science and Technology, Dr. Clement Ogidi applauded OAUSTECH'S Vice-Chancellor for his visionary leadership, especially for transforming and repositioning OAUSTECH to a Centre of Research and Academic Excellence, saying the University under his auspices has witnessed tremendous growth and remarkable achievements.
He stated that he is proud to inform the gathering that many of the graduates of the department are gainfully employed in reputable national and multinational industries such as Nestle and UAC among others.
"Dear inductees, you are ambassadors of this great University and this noble profession. Uphold the ethics of Food Science and Technology. Let excellence, innovation, integrity and professionalism define your careers. We wish you the very best in life", Dr. Ogidi charged.
Meanwhile, 84 graduates of the department were inducted, while awards were also presented to best graduating student for the 2024/2025 academic session.
Source:
Directorate of Information, Protocol and Public Relations (DIPPR),
OAUSTECH