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Amid economic hardship and a recent surge in the price of cooking gas, experts have urged Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas, to avoid turning to firewood as an alternative for cooking.
This caution was given by climate advocates and researchers during an event in Abuja on Tuesday focused on “Maximising Energy Transition Opportunities in Nigeria.”
The call for restraint follows a significant increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, from N1,350 to N1,500 per kilogram. Reports have indicated that prices in some areas, such as Lagos and Ogun states, have peaked at N1,500 per kilogram, while the cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder in Abuja has surged by 41.6%, reaching N17,000.
Amara Nwamkpa, Director for Partnership and Development at the Shehu Yar’Adua Foundation, acknowledged that rising gas prices may lead many Nigerians to consider using firewood. However, he cautioned against this shift due to the health risks associated with smoke inhalation.
Nwamkpa emphasized that while firewood might still play a role in clean cooking, efforts should be made to reduce smoke exposure. He pointed out that smoke from firewood is a major contributor to respiratory diseases, with 40% of pneumonia cases in the country linked to smoke exposure.
“There are clean cooking stoves that use less firewood, which could help reduce health risks,” Nwamkpa said, adding that these stoves rely on simple technology that can be built locally, improving health and quality of life, particularly for people in low-income areas.
Olumide Onitekun of the Africa Policy Research Initiative echoed the warnings about the health hazards of firewood, stressing that consistent advocacy is needed to overcome cultural preferences for firewood, especially in rural areas.
“Transitioning to clean cooking is crucial not just for the environment but for the health benefits,” Onitekun noted. He also urged the government to implement policies that encourage private sector investment in renewable energy.
Patrick Okigbo, Founding Partner of Nextier Advisory Limited, emphasized that the global shift toward renewable energy is driven by climate change, rather than fuel scarcity or efficiency. He expressed confidence that Nigeria is gradually moving toward adopting renewable energy and foresaw a future where the country might no longer rely on crude oil.
