After malaria and HIV/AIDS, indoor air pollution is the third highest killer in Nigeria. More than 95,000 Nigerians die each year from smoke from the kitchen. Around the continent, over 600,000 African mothers and children die from firewood smoke, reckons the African Development Bank.
The consequences for surviving the poisonous fumes of firewood cooking are no less dire, either. Among the risks facing women exposed to firewood cooking during pregnancy are birth defects, low birth weight and impaired mental abilities in their infants. This comes amid the country’s prevailing crisis of maternal health.
In many African societies, cooking is considered an exclusive preserve of women, which exposes them to these hazards.
This also compounds the problem of declining tree cover. Nigeria’s deforestation, at over 3.3% each year, ranks among the highest in the world.
Nigeria’s Clean Cooking Policy, approved in March 2024, is a strategic response to the national crisis. The policy is also a component of the country’s broader Energy Transition Plan, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. The policy set ambitious targets for 2030: 20% of clean cooking solutions from electric sources and 54% from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with a gradual phase-out of fuel-efficient biomass cookstoves.
It is expected that this initiative will create 10 million direct jobs across varied sectors such as assembly, production and distribution.
Already, the Lagos State Government is attempting to promote clean cookstove adoption by doling out eight million stoves in the city as part of a broader nationwide campaign. The first batch of distribution is scheduled for later in June.
Outside of state action are campaigns by grassroots organisations. The Women’s Clean Cookstoves Project, a collaboration between Women’s Earth Alliance and WISE, trained 30 women entrepreneurs in Kaduna State. These women launched and scaled cookstove enterprises, reaching over 13,000 people within a year. The project not only enhanced health outcomes but also empowered women economically and socially.
Notwithstanding, a significant share of Nigerian families burn firewood, according to a 2024 report by the National Bureau of Statistics. This highlights the odds against the widespread adoption of clean cookstoves. Cost is one barrier. For example, in Lagos, the cheapest stove costs around 42,000 naira, more than half the national monthly minimum wage of 70,000 naira. Many families require extended periods to save for such investments.
Cultural preferences are another factor. Traditional cooking methods are deeply ingrained in the Nigerian culture. Some individuals believe that food prepared over open fires tastes better, leading to resistance against new technologies.
Despite its vast gas reserves, Nigeria flares about 300 million cubic feet of gas daily owing to inadequate processing facilities. Consequently, the country relies heavily on LPG imports, which makes fuel expensive and less accessible to the average household.
A lack of a centralised agency responsible for clean cooking policy formulation poses additional challenges.
Accelerating adoption
To overcome the challenges hampering adoption requires a multifaceted approach, from innovative financing models to strengthening infrastructure. Designing microfinance schemes and pay-as-you-go systems can make clean cookstoves more affordable for low-income families.
In the same vein, raising awareness about the health and environmental benefits of clean cookstoves can shift cultural perceptions and boost adoption. Overall, creating a dedicated agency to oversee clean cooking initiatives can ensure cohesive policy development and implementation.
The journey towards adoption
While government policies and community-led initiatives have laid a strong foundation, addressing affordability, cultural norms and deficits in infrastructure is essential. Nigeria can accelerate its transition to clean cooking solutions by adopting a holistic approach that combines community engagement, infrastructure development and policy coherence.
Adopting these measures will also improve public health, empower women, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
