A non-governmental organization, Earth and Sustainability Initiative (ESI), has intensified its community advocacy campaign to promote clean cooking energy among women in low-income and rural communities across Lagos State.
The NGO held an outreach programme on Thursday at Agboju Market in Lagos.
ESI Programme Director, Mrs Ebere Akwuebue, said the organization has been educating women on the dangers of unsafe cooking practices. She noted that many households still rely on charcoal, firewood, sawdust and other solid fuels that pose serious health risks, while also contributing significantly to environmental pollution and climate change.
She said the campaign aims to simplify information on climate change, highlight the health implications of traditional cooking methods, and enlighten women on available cleaner alternatives.
According to her, communities previously visited by ESI have shown strong interest in switching to cleaner cooking technologies but are often constrained by limited access and affordability.
Akwuebue said the NGO partnered with Solar Sisters last year to distribute clean cookstoves and would explore further collaboration with private and public sector stakeholders to expand access. She added that the organization is considering a pay-as-you-go model to enable women acquire clean cookstoves through small instalment payments.
“This approach can serve as a low-hanging fruit in reducing emissions, building awareness and supporting Nigeria’s drive toward achieving net-zero targets,” she said.
Akwuebue said ESI currently works with community leaders to gain access and mobilize households, but hopes to formalize partnerships with relevant government agencies in future engagements.
She said more than 100 women participated in the training, noting that past outreaches over the last three years recorded between 150 and 200 participants per community.
She explained that the clean cookstoves demonstrated during the event use reduced quantities of briquettes or charcoal, are insulated, and burn more efficiently than traditional open-fire pots.
Also speaking, Mrs Margret Ibekwe, who represented the host community’s market leadership, commended the initiative for bringing the sensitization to grassroots women.
Ibekwe said the demonstration exposed many women to clean cookstoves for the first time, adding that the devices would help reduce smoke pollution and promote healthier cooking environments.
She encouraged women to adopt the technology, saying it would improve household well-being while contributing to safer and cleaner communities.
