Clean cooking initiative can boost economic growth— Sanwo-Olu’s adviser

Lagos State Governor's Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titilayo Oshodi, highlighted the transformative potential of a proposed initiative to deploy 80 million green cookstoves across Nigeria. Speaking at a Greenplinth Africa Ltd event, Oshodi described the project as a continent-leading clean energy effort that could significantly improve public health, create jobs, and accelerate Nigeria's transition to a low-carbon economy.

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The future of climate action extends beyond ambition alone. It is built on implementation-ready projects that are capable of delivering measurable impact on the environment, economic opportunity, public health improvement, and scalable community transformation.

Oshodi emphasized that the initiative reflects a global shift towards practical climate solutions with measurable environmental and economic benefits. "The future of climate action extends beyond ambition alone. It is built on implementation-ready projects that are capable of delivering measurable impact on the environment, economic opportunity, public health improvement, and scalable community transformation," she stated.

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Clean cooking must be recognised not simply as an energy conversation but as a climate solution, a health intervention, a gender empowerment strategy, an economic inclusion mechanism and a pathway towards sustainable development.

She noted that over 900 million Africans still rely on traditional cooking methods, contributing to deforestation and health issues. Oshodi urged a broader view of clean cooking, stating, "Clean cooking must be recognised not simply as an energy conversation but as a climate solution, a health intervention, a gender empowerment strategy, an economic inclusion mechanism and a pathway towards sustainable development."

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The pilot results showed a dramatic reduction in average daily consumption from 10 kilogrammes to approximately 1.37 kilogrammes per day. This is not incremental progress; this is transformational efficiency.

Pilot projects in Makoko, Lagos, demonstrated significant efficiency gains. Households using traditional firewood stoves consumed an average of 10 kilograms daily, with some using up to 33 kilograms. The pilot results showed a reduction to approximately 1.37 kilograms per day, a "transformational efficiency." Oshodi sees the initiative as an opportunity for climate finance, carbon markets, local manufacturing, and green enterprise development, stressing the need for collaboration among government, investors, and communities for successful implementation.

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The 80 million green stove initiative sits at the intersection of climate action, carbon markets, green industrialisation, women’s empowerment, job creation, sustainable infrastructure and inclusive economic growth.