The Lagos State Government has launched a major clean energy project aimed at tackling air pollution, deforestation and energy poverty. Under the “80 Million Clean Cookstoves Project,” the state has started distributing clean, efficient wood-burning stoves to households at no cost. The initiative kicked off in Makoko on June 30 and is expected to reach eight million homes across Lagos.
Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Mrs Titilayo Oshodi, flagged off the project in Makoko, a densely populated riverine community. She said the initiative marks a shift towards safer, healthier and more sustainable cooking in Lagos State.
Mrs Oshodi described the new stoves as a “treasure” that cooks food faster and cleaner, saves lives, and protects the environment. She said the clean cookstoves will help reduce the health hazards caused by traditional cooking methods that depend on firewood and charcoal.
She noted that the rollout in Makoko was symbolic and a tribute to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to climate action, especially as the launch coincided with the governor’s 60th birthday. “Makoko is the first to receive this gift of clean energy. It is more than a demonstration; this is a bold step for health, for development, and for the environment,” she said.
The project, implemented in partnership with Green Plinth Africa, will also generate significant income for the state through carbon credit. According to officials, carbon credits from the usage of these stoves will be traded on the upcoming Lagos Carbon Exchange, potentially earning Lagos State over $1 billion in 15 years. These funds will be reinvested in infrastructure, healthcare, and other social projects.
Chief Transformation Officer of Green Plinth Africa, Dr Adebola Odunsi, explained that the cookstoves are expected to last up to 30 years and will drastically reduce indoor air pollution, which is a leading cause of respiratory diseases among women and children. “We used data from social registers to identify the households that need the cookstoves the most. This is a long-term investment in people’s health and in the economy,” he said.
Dr Odunsi added that the project will also boost job creation. Green Plinth Africa plans to establish three biomass brisket production factories in every Nigerian state to provide the fuel needed for the stoves. The briskets will be made from agricultural waste like sawdust and rice husks, offering a clean alternative to firewood and charcoal.
The Technical Coordinator of the project, Yahaya Mohammed, noted that the initiative is being registered with the United Nations, which will reward the state financially for every tonne of carbon emissions saved. He explained that selling the stoves to poor households was not an option, saying the goal was to ease their financial burden, not add to it.
Residents of Makoko expressed joy over the project. The Baale of Adigbon, Chief Victor Panke, praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for turning a promise into reality. “We are so excited. Our women suffer daily from smoke. Now they can cook without tears or asthma. This is a big relief for our people,” he said.
Mrs Biodun Wusa, a beneficiary whose kitchen was used for a live demonstration, said, “There was no smoke or stress. The food even tasted better. We thank the governor and Mrs Oshodi for remembering us.”
Another resident, Dele Aladetan, said the initiative would also benefit the youth. “This is one of the best things to come to Makoko. It will improve health and create jobs in biofuel production.”
Uchechukwu Igweonyia Omolewa, Head of Sales and Marketing at Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), said the project supports the government’s broader health goals. “Healthy cooking leads to healthy living. This is a major win for public health,” he said.
Salvador Oluwatobiloba, representing the General Manager of Lagos State Parks and Gardens, Mrs Adetoun Popoola, commended the Sanwo-Olu administration for pushing a practical climate solution to a grassroots level.
According to Mrs Oshodi, this is just the beginning. The Lagos government will continue distributing stoves across the 57 LGAs and LCDAs. She urged stakeholders, community leaders and partners to support the project and commit to building a cleaner, greener, and healthier Lagos.
