By Abbas Nazil
Lagos State is set to distribute six million clean cookstoves for free as part of a groundbreaking clean energy campaign aimed at tackling air pollution, deforestation, and public health challenges.
The initiative is the first phase of a broader national effort—the 80 Million Clean Cookstove Initiative—launched in collaboration with GreenPlinth Africa, a private firm, and spearheaded by the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.
The announcement was made during a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, where the State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Opeyemi George, alongside Mrs. Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Climate Change and Circular Economy, outlined the project’s objectives and long-term impact.
The clean cookstove program aims to generate 1.2 billion tonnes of compliance carbon offsets and significantly improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians, especially women and children, who are most vulnerable to indoor air pollution caused by traditional cooking methods.
The Lagos Carbon Exchange (LCX), set to launch on June 25, 2025, in Makoko, marks another milestone for the continent.
It will be the first carbon exchange in Africa and only the second globally after California.
The initiative is positioned not only to address environmental and health concerns but also to serve as an economic engine.
Over 35 million green jobs are expected to be created through this program, establishing new pathways for sustainable livelihoods.
Mr. George described the project as more than a government-private sector collaboration. He called it a strategic step toward building a healthier, more inclusive Lagos while aligning with the THEMES++ agenda, which focuses on technology, health, environment, education, and economic growth.
He noted that the initiative would unlock innovation, attract investment, and drive sustainable development.
Governor Sanwo-Olu will chair the Project Advisory Board, with Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago as Deputy Chair.
The board will include six vice chairpersons drawn from across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones and key stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, and development organizations.
The implementation and regulatory oversight will be led by Mrs. Oshodi, ensuring transparency, compliance, and community engagement throughout.
According to Oshodi, the initiative is not only the world’s largest clean cooking effort but a comprehensive socio-economic blueprint for Nigeria’s transition to cleaner, greener energy.
She highlighted that the revenues from the compliance carbon credits—estimated at over $1 billion—will be channeled over a 15-year period into critical infrastructure, social welfare programs, and climate resilience projects, establishing a forex-denominated sovereign green fund.
The project, themed “Clean Cooking Access for Africa: Leaving No One Behind,” reflects Lagos’s leadership in climate action, with a focus on inclusive growth, long-term impact, and environmental justice.
