Nigeria is set to roll out 2.4 million clean cooking stoves across rural communities in the North as part of a bold push to tackle deforestation, reduce household air pollution, and strengthen climate resilience among vulnerable populations.
The intervention, anchored under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, directly confronts one of the country’s most persistent environmental challenges — heavy dependence on firewood and charcoal for cooking, which continues to drive forest loss and expose millions to harmful indoor smoke.
Implemented through the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), the initiative is designed not only as a climate action strategy but also as a livelihood support programme targeting low-income households, particularly women and children who bear the brunt of traditional cooking methods.
Director-General of NAGGW, Saleh Abubakar, described clean cooking as a “critical intersection” of environmental protection, public health, and economic development, stressing that transitioning away from firewood is essential to slowing land degradation across northern Nigeria.
Represented by his Special Technical Assistant, Dr. Olanrewaju Ogunmilua, he noted that the widespread use of biomass fuel has significantly worsened deforestation and air pollution, while increasing health risks in rural homes.
Under the programme, households will receive energy-efficient stoves that consume less fuel and emit less smoke — a shift expected to drastically cut firewood demand and ease pressure on already fragile ecosystems in the Sahel belt.
In a move to scale local impact, the government is partnering with BURN Manufacturing to support production and supply of the stoves, opening opportunities for job creation, youth engagement, and growth in Nigeria’s clean energy value chain.
Senior Special Adviser to the President on Climate Matters, Yusuf Kilani, said the rollout combines social protection with market-driven distribution, with some stoves provided free to the poorest households and others offered at subsidised rates to encourage widespread adoption.
Analysts say the initiative could deliver multiple wins — lowering energy costs for families, stimulating rural economies, and contributing to Nigeria’s climate commitments by reducing emissions linked to traditional cooking practices.
Beyond environmental gains, the programme is expected to significantly improve public health outcomes by reducing exposure to toxic smoke, a leading cause of respiratory illnesses in rural communities.
Distribution will be carried out through local authorities and community networks to ensure the stoves reach the most affected households, marking a critical step toward sustainable energy access in Nigeria’s underserved regions.
