A new international study has revealed that adopting clean cooking energy in Nigeria can significantly cut long-term household expenses, improve respiratory health, and reduce the burden on the nation’s healthcare system.
The research, co-led by Professor Davies Adeloye of Teesside University, United Kingdom, was conducted under the C2REST Nigeria Study—a three-year initiative funded by the Medical Research Foundation. The study brought together experts from the UK, Nigeria, Benin, and Kenya to explore the connections between climate change, environmental conditions, and public health in rapidly expanding urban areas.
The findings come at a crucial moment as Nigeria grapples with rapid urbanisation and increasing energy demand. Despite this growth, millions of households still depend on traditional fuels such as firewood, charcoal, and kerosene for cooking—sources known to produce harmful indoor air pollution and elevate the risk of respiratory and other diseases.
Fieldwork for the study was carried out in Alimosho, Lagos State, and Ado-Odo/Ota in Ogun State—two communities that mirror the challenges of modern Nigeria, including population growth, industrialisation, and diverse income levels. The researchers noted that these areas provide a strong representation of conditions in many urban and peri-urban centres nationwide.
Significantly, the study reframes clean cooking as more than a household expense, positioning it instead as a long-term economic investment. While cleaner energy options such as gas and electricity may involve higher initial costs, households stand to benefit from reduced medical expenses, fewer illness-related disruptions, and improved productivity over time.
Speaking on the findings, Adeloye stressed that clean cooking presents one of the most immediate and practical opportunities to enhance public health while driving economic growth. He noted that the issue extends beyond environmental concerns, directly impacting household finances, disease prevalence, and national productivity.
The report also draws attention to existing inequalities, highlighting that low-income households, larger families, and communities with limited infrastructure are less likely to transition to clean cooking solutions. This, the study suggests, underscores the need for inclusive and targeted policy interventions.
To bridge these gaps, the researchers called for stronger government action, including subsidies for clean energy, improved distribution systems, expanded access to clean fuels, and the integration of clean cooking initiatives into national health and climate policies. They emphasised that collaboration between government, private sector stakeholders, and development partners will be critical to accelerating adoption.
With the right support frameworks in place, the study concludes that clean cooking could serve as one of the most cost-effective strategies for addressing Nigeria’s interconnected climate, health, and economic challenges.
The findings also align with Nigeria’s broader climate commitments and energy transition agenda, offering a scalable solution to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and enhance overall household welfare.
The C2REST Nigeria Study is a multidisciplinary research programme focused on understanding the links between climate change, air quality, and respiratory health.
It is a collaborative partnership between Teesside University, UK, and the University of Lagos, combining household-level data with economic analysis to inform policy decisions and promote sustainable development.