- SustyVibes, a youth-led organisation making sustainability actionable and relatable for young Africans, has launched the Naija CookWise campaign to promote the adoption of cleaner cooking fuels.
- According to the National Bureau of Statistics in 2021, 68.3 per cent of Nigerian households rely on solid biomass such as firewood and charcoal for cooking, while only 10.5 per cent use liquefied petroleum gas, and less than 1 per cent use electricity.
SustyVibes, a youth-led organisation making sustainability actionable and relatable for young Africans, has launched the Naija CookWise campaign to promote the adoption of cleaner cooking fuels among one million women and youth in Nigeria.
The campaign, supported by the Urban Movement Innovation Fund, aims to raise awareness of the dangers of traditional cooking methods, highlight the benefits of clean cooking fuels, and advocate the adoption of cleaner cooking fuels in Nigeria.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics in 2021, 68.3 per cent of Nigerian households rely on solid biomass such as firewood and charcoal for cooking, while only 10.5 per cent use liquefied petroleum gas, and less than 1 per cent use electricity.
These traditional methods not only contribute to severe respiratory illnesses, causing an estimated 95,300 deaths annually, but also accelerate deforestation and environmental degradation. Women and children are disproportionately affected, spending long hours gathering fuel and enduring harmful smoke exposure.
The Naija CookWise campaign commenced with a pre-campaign survey to assess existing knowledge of clean cooking fuels. It was formally launched on January 26, 2025, to coincide with the International Day of Clean Energy.
It noted that this campaign will feature social media advocacy, using storytelling, infographics, and interactive challenges to dispel misconceptions and highlight the health and environmental benefits of clean cooking. To further educate urban and rural audiences on the co-benefits of clean cooking, the campaign will also include radio tours in Ibadan, Enugu, and Kaduna in Indigenous languages.