Leading medical and environmental experts have urged the adoption of clean cooking energy to tackle household air pollution and protect public health.
The call was made at a stakeholders’ forum on clean fuel and cookstove implementation on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in Lagos.
The initiative is funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), in partnership with New York University, LASUTH, and LASUCOM.
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) also serves as a partner in the project.
Delivering a goodwill message, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos Commissioner for Health, commended the collaboration and described clean cooking as a pressing public health necessity.
Represented by Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Abayomi stressed that the gathering was focused on implementing practical clean energy solutions.
He noted that household air pollution causes millions of premature deaths annually, disproportionately affecting women and children in vulnerable communities.
Abayomi added that clean cooking reduces maternal risks, childhood pneumonia, and long-term illnesses such as hypertension and dementia.
He also highlighted additional benefits, including reduced deforestation, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and household economic savings.
He emphasised the need for affordable, culturally acceptable clean fuels, while encouraging local industries to drive sustainable adoption.
Prof. Ololade Wright of LASUCOM and LASUTH noted that millions of Nigerians still depended on harmful fuels such as firewood, charcoal, sawdust, dung, and kerosene.
She warned that these fuels release fumes damaging the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, raising risks of hypertension, stroke, and pneumonia, especially for women and children.
Wright called for government action to increase awareness and expand access to alternatives such as bioethanol stoves, LPG, and renewable cooking technologies.
She said the Clean Fuel, Clean Cookstove Project aims to drive large-scale transition from polluting fuels to sustainable, affordable clean options for households.
“Clean cooking is a pathway to healthier families, cleaner air, and climate resilience, and Nigeria cannot afford delay,” Wright stressed.
Prof. Gbenga Ogedegbe of New York University added that household air pollution is linked not only to respiratory disease but also to hypertension, dementia, and impaired child cognition.
He noted that the health burden is higher in low-resource countries like Nigeria, underscoring the urgency of the project.
Dr Tunde Ajayi, LASEPA’s General Manager, emphasised environmental benefits, stating that clean cooking improves household environments, reduces climate impacts, and enhances Lagos air quality.
He said monitoring shows that cutting emissions from cooking, traffic, and generators directly improves the air people breathe.
Ajayi added that the project supports both cleaner energy and local innovations in air quality monitoring.
The experts urged governments at all levels to expand awareness, ensure fuel accessibility, and strengthen policies for widespread adoption of clean cooking.
The aim remains to reduce household air pollution and its severe health and environmental consequences.
By Fabian Ekeruche