Nigerian Public Health specialists have raised alarm over the serious health risks linked to traditional cooking methods, which are still widely used across the nation, predominantly in the rural areas. Only one in ten Nigerian households presently use clean energy sources like electricity, gas, or solar power, despite several attempts to promote greener energy alternatives. This poor adoption is a contributing factor to an expanding public health catastrophe due to the serious pulmonary and cardiovascular issues caused by the extensive use of firewood, kerosene, and charcoal for cooking,
The Environment Minister, Balarabe Lawal, expressed similar worries, stating that the ongoing use of dirty fuels is not only killing people but also accelerating Deforestation and driving climate change. Due to their primary responsibility for cooking, women bear a disproportionate amount of the strain of these traditional cooking methods and are consequently more exposed to dangerous contaminants. Experts have noted that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other hazardous substances found in the smoke and Emissions from conventional cooking methods are connected to an increase in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Lung Cancer and other severe health issues.
Long-term exposure can result in chronic respiratory issue.
A public health specialist, Professor Tanimola Akande, at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, outlined the risks associated with these pollutants, pointing out that long-term exposure can result in chronic respiratory conditions, irritate the eyes, and raise the risk of low birth weights and premature births in expectant mothers. The experts support a broad switch to clean energy sources, which can drastically lower indoor air Pollution and the health hazards that come along with it. Health experts admit, though, that a major obstacle to adoption is the high cost of these technologies in conjunction with limited access in rural areas.
Beyond health issues, traditional cooking methods have a significant negative impact on the environment. Enormous deforestation caused by the use of firewood and charcoal, has resulted in declining biodiversity and exacerbated Climate Change effects. In order to lessen these effects, experts emphasized the necessity of policies that support Reforestation and sustainable Forest management. They proposed that the call for cleaner cooking Technology may be stimulated by educating the public about the dangers of using non-clean energy sources, especially the effects on women and children.
Millions of tonnes of CO2 are released by burning biomass.
More than 70% of Nigerian families utilize biomass—which includes firewood, charcoal, and agricultural waste—as their main source of cooking fuel, especially those in rural regions. Millions of tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) are released annually by the burning of biomass for cooking, according to estimates. Also, traditional cooking causes home air pollution that exposes over 120 million Nigerians on a regular basis. This air pollution primarily affects women and children and causes respiratory ailments. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that diseases linked to home air pollution from traditional cooking methods claim the lives of over 98,000 Nigerians each year.
The negative health effects of indoor air pollution result in high medical expenses. According to estimates from 2018, Nigeria loses about $21 billion a year as a result of health problems brought on by indoor air pollution. Slightly more than 10% of Nigerian households, according to recent estimates, use liquefied Petroleum gas (LPG), indicating that the country’s adoption rate of cleaner cooking alternatives is still low. The government of Nigeria is striving to raise the adoption rate through a number of collaborations, programs, and technological breakthroughs that support healthier and more environmentally friendly cooking options.
Related Article: Transition to clean energy in Nigeria
Improved cookstoves and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) have been promoted through a number of initiatives, as an alternative that can lessen health hazards, environmental harm, and financial difficulties. A $350 million Loan to Nigeria was granted by the World Bank in 2023, with a portion of the funds going towards increasing access to clean cooking technologies. The Nigerian government has established a short- to medium-term goal to supply clean cooking solutions to at least 30 million families by 2027, with support from the Clean Cooking Alliance. Currently, estimates indicate that reaching this goal will require significant Investment and changes to policy.