The study, co-led by Davies Adeloye of Teesside University, was conducted under the C2REST Nigeria Study—a three-year international research programme funded by the Medical Research Foundation. The initiative brings together experts from the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Benin, and Kenya to examine the broader impacts of clean energy adoption.
Fieldwork for the study was carried out in Alimosho and Ado-Odo/Ota, two rapidly expanding areas that reflect the realities of both urban and peri-urban communities. These locations provided a representative snapshot of the challenges and opportunities surrounding household energy use across the country.
According to the findings, although cleaner cooking options such as gas and electricity often require higher upfront costs, they can deliver long-term financial relief. Reduced exposure to harmful smoke lowers the risk of respiratory illnesses, leading to fewer hospital visits, decreased healthcare spending, and improved productivity among household members.
The researchers emphasised that clean cooking should be viewed not merely as an expense, but as a long-term investment with measurable economic returns. Beyond environmental considerations, the shift has direct implications for household finances, national productivity, and the overall disease burden.
However, the study also revealed notable disparities in adoption. Lower-income households, larger families, and communities with limited infrastructure were found to be significantly less likely to transition to cleaner energy sources. These gaps underscore the need for inclusive and targeted policies to ensure wider access.
To accelerate adoption, the report calls for stronger government intervention, including subsidies for clean fuels, improved distribution networks, and broader integration of clean cooking initiatives into national health and climate strategies. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies, private sector players, and development partners.
With the right policy support, the study concludes, clean cooking energy could become one of the most cost-effective tools for addressing Nigeria’s interconnected challenges—ranging from climate change and air pollution to healthcare strain and economic inefficiencies.