Regenerative edible insects for food, feed, and sustainable livelihoods in Nigeria: Consumption, potential and prospects

Abstract

Edible insects are imperative as food, feed, and other products for industries, but commercial farming and utilization of insects as food, feed and industries is seldom in Nigeria. However, consumption of insects in Nigeria is longstanding and increasingly becoming popular and receiving more attention because of their potential as alternatives to animal protein and a means of livelihood to mitigate hunger and poverty. We harnessed academic and grey literature and personal communications to obtain a wholesome and concise review of the edible insects in Nigeria. This process revealed 13 edible insect species consumed amongst various tribes and indigenous people in the country. We found that the consumption of insects in Nigeria is ubiquitous but more popular and generally accepted in southern Nigeria than in the northern part of the country. However, farming insects for food and feed is seldom because edible insects are harvested from wild populations. Insights into the challenges of farming edible insects in Nigeria revealed that funding, seasonality, technical know-how or expertise are at the forefront, while poor extension services, inadequate processing technologies, and not having in place strategies for their upscaling are also implicated. We recommend mutualistic cooperation between key stakeholders along the agricultural value chain in Nigeria, such as the government, investors, and others that will foster partnerships with established industries in East Africa, especially Kenya and Uganda, where farming insects for food, feed, and livelihoods is thriving.