A fresh international report suggests that moving away from traditional cooking fuels to cleaner energy sources could cut household expenses over time, improve breathing health, and reduce the strain on Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The research, led in part by Davies Adeloye of Teesside University, was carried out under the C2REST Nigeria Study, a three-year project backed by the Medical Research Foundation. It brought together specialists from the UK, Nigeria, Benin, and Kenya to explore how environmental and climate factors are affecting health in fast-growing cities.
The timing of the findings is significant. With rapid urban growth and increasing energy needs, many Nigerian households still depend on firewood, charcoal, and kerosene for cooking. These fuels release harmful smoke indoors, raising the risk of respiratory illnesses and other health problems.
Fieldwork for the study was conducted in Alimosho and Ado-Odo/Ota – areas that mirror the challenges of modern urban life, including population pressure, industrial activity, and a mix of income levels. This makes the findings widely applicable across similar communities nationwide.
One key takeaway is that clean cooking should be viewed as a smart long-term investment rather than just an added cost. While options like gas and electricity may require more money upfront, they can lead to savings over time by reducing illness, cutting medical bills, and improving productivity.
Professor Adeloye noted that adopting clean cooking solutions is one of the quickest ways to improve public health while also supporting economic growth. According to him, the issue goes beyond environmental concerns, directly impacting family finances, disease rates, and overall national output.
However, the study also points to a gap: poorer households, larger families, and areas with limited infrastructure are less likely to switch to cleaner options. This highlights the need for inclusive policies that make clean energy accessible to everyone.
To drive change, the researchers recommend stronger government intervention, such as subsidies for clean energy, better distribution systems, wider access to cleaner fuels, and the inclusion of clean cooking in national health and climate policies. They also stress the importance of collaboration between the government, private investors, and development partners.
With the right support in place, clean cooking could offer one of the most practical and affordable ways for Nigeria to address its linked challenges of climate change, public health, and economic development.
