Nigeria has pledged to provide access to cooking gas for 28.8 million households and improved biomass cook-stoves for 7.3 million households, representing 48% and 13% respectively, by 2030.
Speaking at the National Clean Cooking Fair, Minister of State for the Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated that this intervention is expected to save over 30,000 lives annually.
Additionally, it aims to build a domestic clean cooking industry, create new jobs, reduce deforestation, help the government meet its climate change commitments, and improve the lives of women and girls.
Dr. Salako highlighted that the Federal Ministry of Environment has developed a National Clean Cooking Policy, recently approved by the Federal Executive Council.
This policy provides a clear direction and specified pathway for Nigeria to achieve clean cooking outcomes.
According to him, once fully implemented, the National Clean Cooking Policy will improve public health by reducing risks associated with traditional cooking practices. It will also promote environmental sustainability by reducing deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions through the use of clean cooking technologies and solutions.
Furthermore, the policy will enhance energy access and affordability, encourage gender equality and empowerment for economic development, and drive investments into the sector, supporting the Federal Government’s job creation agenda.
