By Ayomide Otitoju
A new international study has found that switching to clean cooking energy in Nigeria can reduce long-term household costs, improve respiratory health, and ease pressure on the healthcare system.
The research, co-led by Davies Adeloye of Teesside University, UK, was conducted under the three-year C2REST Nigeria Study funded by the Medical Research Foundation. Experts from the UK, Nigeria, Benin, and Kenya examined the links between climate, environment, and health in rapidly growing urban communities.
The findings are particularly relevant as millions of Nigerian households continue to rely on firewood, charcoal, and kerosene for cooking—fuels that contribute to indoor air pollution and increased risk of respiratory illnesses. The study focused on Alimosho, Lagos State and Ado-Odo/Ota, Ogun State, areas reflecting Nigeria’s fast-growing urban population, industrial activity, and mixed-income households.
Although cleaner fuels such as gas and electricity may have higher upfront costs, the study shows households can save money over time due to fewer illnesses, lower healthcare spending, and improved productivity.
Professor Adeloye highlighted that clean cooking is a practical way to improve public health while supporting economic development, noting that it directly affects household finances, disease burden, and national productivity.
The research also identified disparities in access, with lower-income households, larger families, and communities with limited infrastructure less likely to adopt clean cooking solutions. The study calls for inclusive policies, government subsidies, improved supply chains, and collaboration with the private sector and development partners to accelerate adoption.
With proper policy support, clean cooking could become one of the most cost-effective ways to address Nigeria’s climate, health, and economic challenges, while also aligning with the country’s climate commitments and energy transition plans.
