FG plans clean cooking energy for 1m households

• Published On: 09 February 2025 at 18:37

The Federal Government intends to transition one million households from firewood-based cooking to clean energy, Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim announced Friday in Abuja during a citizens' engagement marking her 100th day in office.

She stated that the initiative is part of efforts to encourage gender-responsive climate action.

She emphasised that women are at the forefront of climate change impacts and are advocating for their inclusion in adaptation and mitigation plans.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that Nigeria's participation in COP29 in Azerbaijan provided an opportunity to engage the international community in gender-responsive climate action.

"In this regard, we are working to transition one million households from firewood-based cooking to clean and sustainable energy solutions," she told the audience.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that the ministry plans to economically empower 10 million women by 2027, ensuring their active participation in Nigeria's economic transformation.

She emphasised that this initiative is part of broader reforms aimed at lifting, protecting, and empowering women, girls, and vulnerable populations.

"This aligns with President Bola Tinubu's vision of a $1 trillion economy, where women are key contributors to national productivity," she told reporters.

The Minister mentioned the World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project, which aims to reach 4.5 million women in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

She stated that the initiative will provide women with financial literacy, business development skills, and cooperative structures to support sustainable businesses and drive economic growth.

She stated that the MOWA-SARA Accelerated Skills Acquisition Programme, in collaboration with WEMA Bank, will educate 500,000 women about vocational skills, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion.

"The first phase of the programme is currently underway in Kano State, with 2,500 women receiving training at the Ministry of Women Affairs Centre in Dederi and the Kano Hospitality & Tourism Institute in Gyadi-Gyadi.

"In addition, to improve access to finance, the ministry is developing a National Microfinance Framework for Women Entrepreneurs."

"This initiative aims to close the financing gap for women by providing affordable credit, investment opportunities, and gender-responsive financial services.

"This will help them to grow their businesses and contribute more effectively to national development," according to the minister.