ABUJA – The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has revealed that only one in ten households in the country use clean energy sources and technologies for cooking.
He said this alarming statistic underscores a broader “silent energy crisis” in the country.
In a statement released on Saturday and signed by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ibrahim Haruna, Lawal highlighted the dangers of traditional cooking methods, such as using firewood, kerosene, and charcoal.
He noted that these practices not only claim lives and contribute to deforestation but also exacerbate climate change and impose significant burdens on women. “Clean cooking solutions will save lives, empower women and youths, improve livelihoods, and combat climate change,” the minister stated.
Lawal also emphasized the potential economic impact of implementing the National Clean Cooking Policy of Nigeria, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council on March 25, 2024.
According to him, the policy could create around 10 million direct jobs for youth, particularly in the production and distribution of clean cookstoves and briquettes, using locally sourced raw materials.
The policy aims to achieve widespread access to clean cooking energy solutions for households and institutions by 2030, aligning with Nigeria’s broader goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect the environment, and meet its Nationally Determined Contribution target for a carbon-neutral future by 2060.
As part of the Energy Transition Plan, the policy sets a target where 20% of clean cooking energy will come from electric sources, 54% from Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), 13% from fuel-efficient biomass cookstoves, and smaller shares from biogas and briquettes.
Lawal also mentioned ongoing collaborations with local clean cookstove manufacturers to scale up production and train youth in the necessary skills.
He called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector, and international partners, to collaborate in achieving the objectives of the policy; and expressed optimism that by working together, Nigeria can overcome the challenges posed by dirty cooking and build a sustainable future for its citizens.
