Makoko, one of Lagos State’s most underserved communities, has become the launchpad for a major clean energy initiative aimed at transforming household cooking practices and tackling climate change. The initiative, part of the 80 million clean cookstoves distribution project across Nigeria, officially kicked off with a live demonstration in the riverside community.
The project seeks to replace hazardous firewood use with cleaner, healthier alternatives. Lagos State is set to receive ten percent of the national allocation—approximately 8million cookstoves to distribute across its 57 local government areas and local council development areas.
Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titilayo Oshodi, highlighted the significance of the initiative and the strategic choice of Makoko for the first deployment scheduled for June 30.
“Makoko stands as the first to benefit from this new trajectory of clean energy. It’s a proud moment, and we’re grateful to the people of Makoko for welcoming us with open arms. Among the 80million households nationwide earmarked for this distribution, they are the first to experience this clean energy transition,” she said.
Oshodi explained that the initiative has been in development since late last year, with retreats and press briefings organized to sensitize stakeholders and build momentum across the state. The first live demonstration was carried out on site, showcasing the benefits and functionality of the new cookstoves.
The cookstoves, according to Oshodi, offer multiple benefits: “reduce indoor air pollution, promote public health, support economic activity, and help mitigate the effects of climate change through cleaner energy usage.”
She noted that the live demo event was moved forward to coincide with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s 60th birthday, in line with his desire to mark the milestone with a people-focused, impactful project.
“The Governor wanted all Lagosians to share in his milestone through a project that speaks to the future—health, environment, and economic opportunity. Rather than a traditional celebration, the Governor wanted to be present—symbolically or otherwise—in communities like Makoko, where real change begins,” Oshodi added.
Chief Operating Officer of Greenplinth Africa, Yahya Ahmed, who serves as the technical coordinator of the initiative, emphasized the project’s dual impact: environmental protection and economic empowerment.
“We chose Makoko because it’s one of the poorest areas in Lagos, where firewood is still widely used. This clean cookstove runs on briquettes made from agricultural waste like sawdust and rice husk—materials that were once discarded or burned,” he explained.
He described how the briquette-powered stoves offer smokeless, healthier cooking—a significant improvement for women and families exposed to harmful fumes from traditional cooking methods.
“This morning, we watched a woman cooking with the clean stove—no smoke, no red eyes, no coughing. That’s the change we want to replicate across Nigeria,” he said.
Beyond health and environmental benefits, Ahmed highlighted the economic potential of the initiative. With millions of households using briquettes weekly, the project is poised to stimulate a logistics and supply chain ecosystem, generating employment and new income sources across the country.
The COO also clarified that the stoves will not be sold to beneficiaries, thanks to a UN-backed carbon credit model: “This project will be registered with the United Nations under its emission reduction framework. For every ton of carbon dioxide reduced, funds will be disbursed to offset the cost of each stove,” he noted.
In addition to the free stoves, recipients will also receive 50 tree seedlings—fruit-bearing and commercial varieties—to support reforestation and long-term sustainability. Beneficiaries are encouraged to nurture the trees, which will belong to them once matured.
“We’re not just stopping deforestation; we’re actively planting trees. Especially in regions where tree cover has vanished, this offers a lifeline for the ecosystem,” Ahmed added.
Greenplinth Africa is a major partnezr with the Lagos State government leading the deployment and technical coordination on the project.
A resident of the Apollo community in Makoko, Madam Bidemi, who used the clean cookstove as part of the live demonstration session commended the initiative for the cleaner, healthier, faster and safer cooking benefits.
The event was attended by grassroots influencers including popular entertainer, Daddy Showkey who lent his voice to the cause and connected with residents from a place of shared experience. Afrobeat musician, Alariwo of Africa and Nollywood actress and producer, Foluke Daramola were also present to support the initiative.
Residents of Makoko led by the Baale, Orioye Jephter Ogungbure, along with representative of the Yaba CDC, Asiwaju Yusuf; representative of the Iyaloja of Makoko, all welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm and prayers, seeing it as a sign of recognition and inclusion in the state’s green development agenda.
With Makoko leading the charge, the Lagos State Government and its partners aim to roll out the cookstove initiative statewide, aligning with broader goals of environmental sustainability, public health, and climate action.