Emir of Nasarawa Named Royal Flagbearer for Nigeria’s 80 Million Clean Cookstoves Initiative

LAGOS, Nigeria — The Emir of Nasarawa and President of the Nasarawa Emirate Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril, has been appointed the Royal Flagbearer of Nigeria’s 80 Million Clean Cookstoves Project and the 4 Billion Innovative Tree Planting and Nurturing Programme.

The appointment was announced on Wednesday in Lagos by the President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Greenplinth Africa, Dr. Olawale Akinwumi, during the Strategic Project Implementation Management Retreat and Stakeholders Engagement.

The retreat, themed “Clean Cooking Access in Africa: Igniting Socio-Economic Change with 80 Million Clean Cookstoves in Nigeria,” brought together stakeholders to discuss strategies for expanding access to clean cooking technologies across the country.

The initiative aims to improve access to clean energy, enhance public health, create employment opportunities, reduce carbon emissions and support Nigeria’s climate action and sustainable development goals.

Traditional Rulers Key to Project Success

Speaking at the event, Akinwumi said the appointment of the Emir reflected the critical role traditional rulers would play in ensuring the successful implementation of the project at the grassroots level.

According to him, royal fathers possess the influence and community trust needed to drive widespread adoption of clean cooking technologies.

“You are more than qualified for this role. You are not just the bridge; you are the motivator. Royal fathers are key to this project. Whether we like it or not, they own the community,” Akinwumi said.

Emir Pledges Support, Warns Against Sabotage

Accepting the appointment, the Emir, who previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment, thanked Greenplinth Africa for the confidence reposed in him and pledged his full support for the initiative.

He, however, cautioned the project’s promoters to remain vigilant against individuals who may seek personal gain at the expense of the programme’s objectives.

“I want you to know that in Nigeria, there are very few builders, but there are so many joiners. Failure is an orphan, but success has many fathers. When this project becomes successful, many people will want to associate with it. Some will seek to undermine it rather than contribute positively. You must ensure that your foundation is ironclad so that no amount of pressure can derail the vision,” the monarch said.

He also urged the project team to maintain strict quality standards in the production and distribution of clean cookstoves.

“They may not benefit from carbon credits, but they could flood the market with inferior products that will rust after a year or two. The standard must remain high. At the end of the day, quality will prevail, and we will all be proud of the outcome. I assure you that we will continue to fly the green flag for the sake of our team and our country,” he added.

Experts Highlight Health and Environmental Benefits

Earlier, former General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Adetokunbo Adedeji, described the continued reliance on traditional firewood and kerosene stoves as a major public health and environmental challenge.

He said the issue extends beyond energy access to include health risks, gender inequality, poverty and environmental degradation.

“For generations, traditional cooking methods, predominantly open firewood and kerosene stoves, have served as the primary energy source for households across developing communities in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. However, this reliance comes at a staggering and often invisible cost,” he said.

According to Adedeji, household air pollution caused by traditional cooking methods claims more than 3.2 million lives globally each year, making it one of the world’s leading environmental health risks.

He added that dependence on firewood contributes significantly to deforestation, desertification and greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change.

Adedeji identified the Panda Cookstove as an innovative solution capable of providing cleaner energy, improving public health and supporting environmental restoration.

Project Expected to Create Millions of Green Jobs

Speaking on the strategic importance of Lagos State to the programme, the Deputy Managing Director and Group Financial Officer of Greenplinth Africa, Engr. Babatunde Aina, said the state offers the ideal environment for implementing the initiative.

“For a programme that must produce uniform, equitable, carbon-grade evidence, Lagos offers three properties that no other state provides simultaneously: operational density, institutional readiness, and statistical reliability,” Aina said.

Also speaking, Greenplinth Africa’s Chief Research Officer, Dr. Eyitayo Ajayi, said the initiative is expected to create more than three million green jobs while reducing dependence on firewood by over 90 per cent among approximately 180 million Nigerians.

He said the project represents a significant step toward improving livelihoods, protecting the environment and accelerating Nigeria’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable household energy.

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A Lagos-based journalist with a passion for disseminating factual information and a deep appreciation for good music, good food, movies, and beautiful cars. He hopes to travel the world someday, documenting its beauty and diverse cultures through his storytelling.