The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has praised the Presidential Committee on Gas Transition for its dedication to advancing clean energy solutions and for recognising the crucial roles women play in helping Nigeria meet its energy transition objectives.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Minister expressed the Ministry’s willingness to collaborate with the Committee to ensure that more women, particularly those in rural areas, benefit from clean cooking initiatives.
She stated, “We are committed to supporting this agenda because it aligns with our mandate to improve the socio-economic and health conditions of Nigerian women.
“Providing access to clean cooking solutions is a vital step towards alleviating energy poverty and empowering women across the nation,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim added.
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Gas Transition, Professor Mohammed Ibrahim, emphasised that the committee is focused on enhancing access to clean energy solutions that will positively affect women’s health, livelihoods, and overall well-being. He stressed the urgent need to move Nigerian households away from traditional cooking methods like firewood and charcoal, opting instead for clean cooking technologies powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other sustainable energy sources.
He pointed out that women and children bear the brunt of the health risks associated with traditional cooking practices, particularly respiratory diseases caused by long-term exposure to toxic smoke.
“Clean cooking is not only an environmental or economic concern; it is also a health and social justice issue. Nigerian women, especially those in rural areas, deserve safer and more sustainable cooking methods that can enhance their quality of life,” Professor Ibrahim remarked during his presentation.
He also noted that the transition to clean cooking would help reduce deforestation, improve household air quality, and open up economic opportunities for women in the clean energy sector.
Both parties agreed on the importance of collaborative efforts to speed up the adoption of clean cooking technologies and raise awareness about the health and economic benefits of clean energy solutions for women and their families.