A groundbreaking international study has identified clean cooking energy as a critical driver for Nigeria’s economic future, asserting that transitioning away from traditional fuels is a primary “long-term investment” rather than a mere household expense.
The research, conducted under the C2REST Nigeria Study, highlights a direct link between the adoption of clean energy and a significant surge in national productivity, driven by improved public health and reduced financial strain on families.
“Clean cooking is one of the most practical and immediate ways to improve public health while supporting economic development,” stated Professor Davies Adeloye of Teesside University, UK, who co-led the study.
“The issue goes beyond environmental concerns, directly affecting household finances, disease burden, and national productivity,” he added.
The study, which focused on Alimosho in Lagos State and Ado-Odo/Ota in Ogun State, notes that as households move away from firewood, charcoal, and kerosene, they experience a virtuous cycle of savings.
By reducing the frequency of respiratory illnesses, families spend less on emergency healthcare and lose fewer workdays to sickness, effectively boosting the labour force’s efficiency. This shift is particularly vital as Nigeria experiences rising energy demand, yet millions of households still rely on fuels that contribute to harmful indoor air pollution.
“This research brings together experts from the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Benin, and Kenya to examine the links between climate, environment, and health in rapidly growing communities,” the report noted, emphasising that the findings are a roadmap for urban and peri-urban centres across the country.
The C2REST programme, a three-year collaboration between Teesside University and the University of Lagos, utilises a multidisciplinary approach to bridge the gap between climate science and economic reality.
The study did not shy away from the barriers to entry, finding that lower-income households and larger families are often locked out of the clean energy transition due to infrastructure deficits and high initial costs. To address these inequalities, the researchers call for stronger government action and a radical shift in policy, including subsidising clean energy costs, improving supply chains, and integrating clean cooking into national health and climate strategies.
“With the right policy support, clean cooking could become one of the most cost-effective ways to tackle Nigeria’s interconnected climate, health, and economic challenges,” the study concluded.
Collaboration between the government, the private sector, and development partners will be essential to accelerate this progress, offering a practical and scalable solution to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and enhance overall household welfare.
