The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Clean Sustainable Renewable Solutions Limited to deploy four million ECOCA solar electric cookstove units to households nationwide, part of the government’s Green Economy Empowerment 774 (GEE774) programme.
The agreement, signed on behalf of Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, commits to distributing the solar cookstoves across all 774 local government areas. Under the plan, about 5,000 units will be allocated to each LGA. A six-month pilot phase in selected states will precede full-scale rollout to assess performance across varied climates and conditions.
The initiative aims to expand access to clean cooking technologies, reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal, and improve indoor air quality. Traditional biomass cooking is linked to an estimated 95,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, with women and children disproportionately affected by smoke exposure.
Officials say each solar cookstove could offset about 4.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, contributing to Nigeria’s climate goals under the Paris Agreement and supporting the federal government’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. Reduced use of firewood may also help curb deforestation.
Beyond environmental benefits, the ministry positions the rollout as a gender-focused intervention. By reducing time spent collecting firewood and lowering exposure to harmful smoke, the programme could free up time for education, income-earning activities and other social development outcomes for women and girls.
The ECOCA units include practical features designed to enhance household utility, such as LED lights and USB charging points, which are expected to support broader energy access in off-grid and low-income communities.
The federal government says this initiative underscores its commitment to integrating climate action with social development priorities, leveraging renewable energy solutions to improve public health, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunities nationwide.
