By Oluyemi Israel
Environmental experts have urged Nigerians to adopt clean cooking energy to reduce household air pollution and improve public health.
They said clean cooking prevents premature deaths, lowers maternal risks, reduces childhood pneumonia, cuts long-term illnesses, and protects the environment by reducing deforestation and harmful emissions.
Medical and environmental experts, including Prof. Akin Abayomi, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Prof. Ololade Wright, Prof. Gbenga Ogedegbe, and Dr. Tunde Ajayi, made the call.
The initiative involves the U.S. National Institutes of Health, New York University, LASUTH, LASUCOM, and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The experts spoke on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ forum on clean fuel and cookstove implementation in Lagos, Nigeria.
They promoted the Clean Fuel, Clean Cookstove Project by encouraging the use of bioethanol stoves, LPG, and renewable cooking technologies.
They advised governments to raise awareness, ensure access to clean fuel, and support local industries to make clean cooking affordable and sustainable.