By Barbara Nwaiwu (Intern)
The Nigerian government has explained that the planned distribution of 2.4 million clean cooking stoves across communities was aimed at reducing deforestation and improving household health in the country.
Initiated under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the programme targets Northern Nigeria’s rural communities that are reliant on firewood and charcoal for cooking.
The initiative which is being implemented through the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) prioritises climate action that improve livelihoods, expand opportunities for vulnerable communities, and promote sustainable development.
Speaking on the programme, the Director-General of the NAGGW, Saleh Abubakar, emphasised the importance of clean cooking solutions in addressing environmental and public health concerns.
“Clean cooking is a critical environmental, public health and economic priority,” he said, noting that many households in still depend heavily on firewood and charcoal for cooking, a practice that has contributed significantly to environmental degradation and health risks.
The DG who was represented by his special technical assistant, Dr. Olanrewaju Ogunmilua said “the practice contributes significantly to deforestation, air pollution and health risks, especially for women and children.”
According to him, the programme will introduce energy-efficient cooking stoves that use less fuel, produce less smoke, and significantly reduce the amount of firewood needed for cooking.
The clean cooking initiative will also involve collaboration with BURN Manufacturing, a clean energy technology company expected to support the production and supply of the improved stoves.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on climate matters, Comrade Yusuf Kilani, said the initiative forms part of the administration’s broader plan to improve energy access while creating economic opportunities.
“Some stoves will be distributed free to support low-income households, while others will be sold at subsidized rates to ensure wider adoption,” said Yusuf Kilani.
He explained that the programme is expected to deliver both economic and environmental benefits to communities across the northern states.
NatureNews reports that the initiative not only reduces household energy costs but also creates jobs, empowers youth and stimulates local production aside reducing pressure on forests in northern Nigeria, where the demand for firewood remains one of the leading causes of deforestation.
Beyond environmental benefits, the initiative is expected to improve public health outcomes by reducing exposure to harmful smoke produced in traditional cooking methods, which disproportionately affects women and children.
Officials confirmed that the distribution of the stoves will be carried out through community networks and local authorities across several northern states, ensuring that the intervention reaches rural households most in need.
