As part of a strategic plan to reduce carbon emissions and boost Lagos State’s carbon credit portfolio for infrastructure funding, the state government has commenced a three-day “80 Million Clean Cook Stoves Project Implementation Retreat.”
The Bureau Newspaper gathered that the initiative, a collaboration between the Office of the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Green Plinth Africa, Carbon AI, Carbonivity, and Numerix Development Limited, aims to distribute 80 million free clean cooking stoves to rural women across Nigeria.
The technical retreat will focus on strategies to phase out firewood-based cooking, mitigate health and environmental hazards, and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to harness carbon credits.
Sanwo-Olu Unveils Clean Cook Stove Distribution Plan
Declaring the retreat open, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a cleaner and carbon-free environment.
He announced that the state would begin distributing clean cook stoves in Makoko by June 2025, while plans were underway to establish a clean cooking stove production factory in Lagos.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that if properly harnessed, the green investment sector could create 3.5 million green jobs in the state.
Niger State, Other Stakeholders Back the Initiative
Speaking at the event, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, represented by the Director General of the Niger State Green Economy Agency, Dr. Abila Galadima, commended Lagos for pioneering the project. He reaffirmed Niger State’s commitment to climate change initiatives and a sustainable green economy.
Dr. Victor Fodeke, Managing Director of Green Plinth Africa, revealed that 20 states had already keyed into the project, which aims to reduce carbon emissions, promote tree planting, and combat deforestation.
The three-day retreat is expected to yield recommendations on carbon emission reduction strategies and enhancing Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings through carbon credit programs.
The event was attended by climate change advocates, environmentalists, and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s green economy.