Benue State government launches massive clean cookstove programme to distribute two million units and cut firewood use in rural communities across Benue Nigeria

The government of Benue State has launched an ambitious environmental and social initiative that could transform how millions of families cook their meals.

In a new partnership with Greenplinth Africa, the state plans to distribute two million clean cookstoves to households across the region.

The deal was formally sealed through a memorandum of agreement with the Benue State Council on Climate Change during the Green Conference held in Lagos.

Officials say the project marks a shift away from endless policy discussions and toward practical climate solutions that affect everyday life.

From Climate Talk to Real Action

The announcement came during a three-day event focused on sustainability and climate investment across Africa.

The conference, themed “Decarbonisation Africa: Pathway to Climate Finance, Sustainable Growth and Green Economy,” gathered policymakers, businesses and environmental advocates from across the continent.

For Benue, the partnership represents a concrete step toward cutting emissions while also tackling rural poverty.

State officials explained that many households still rely heavily on firewood for cooking, a practice that contributes to deforestation and environmental degradation.

By replacing traditional wood-burning methods with cleaner alternatives, the government hopes to protect forests and promote healthier living conditions for rural families.

What the Clean Cookstove Project Includes

The initiative is designed to do more than simply provide new cooking equipment.

Under the programme, each participating household will receive:

• Two clean cookstoves

• Stainless steel cooking pots

• 40 kilograms of briquettes made from farm waste such as rice husks

These briquettes, created from agricultural residues, offer a low-emission fuel alternative while also giving value to materials that might otherwise be discarded.

Organisers say the programme integrates climate action with economic support.

Families who join the scheme will receive monthly financial incentives and health insurance coverage, adding a social protection component to the environmental effort.

Turning Agricultural Waste Into Opportunity

Executives from Greenplinth Africa say the project aims to convert agricultural waste into a valuable resource.

In regions like Benue, where farming is a major economic activity, residues from crops often go unused or are burned in open fields.

Through briquette production, those materials can be recycled into clean cooking fuel, helping reduce emissions and creating new economic opportunities.

The company also explained that signing a memorandum of agreement — rather than the more common memorandum of understanding — signals the project is moving straight into the implementation stage, not just the planning phase.

Carbon Credits and Climate Financing

Another key feature of the project is its link to carbon credit programmes.

According to project officials, Benue could become one of the first Nigerian states to benefit financially from emissions reductions generated by clean cookstove adoption.

Carbon credits allow governments and organisations to earn revenue by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, which can then be traded on global carbon markets.

This mechanism could help fund future environmental programmes while strengthening Nigeria’s position in the growing climate finance ecosystem.

Benefits for Women and Girls

One of the most important impacts of the programme may be felt by women and girls in rural communities.

Across many parts of Nigeria, women are responsible for gathering firewood — a time-consuming task that can involve long walks and potential safety risks.

Smoke from traditional cooking fires also exposes families to dangerous levels of indoor air pollution, a major cause of respiratory illnesses in developing countries.

By introducing cleaner cooking methods, the initiative is expected to reduce health risks and free up time that girls might otherwise spend collecting firewood.

That time could instead be spent on education and other productive activities.

Nigeria’s Climate Policy Framework

The project also reflects Nigeria’s broader environmental policy direction.

The country passed the Climate Change Act, which established a legal framework for emissions reduction and climate governance at federal, state and local levels.

Despite the existence of such policies, experts often point out that implementation remains a major challenge in a large and complex country like Nigeria.

Partnerships between state governments and private companies are increasingly seen as a way to accelerate progress.

Impact and Consequences

If successfully implemented, the cookstove initiative could significantly reduce deforestation in Benue and lower carbon emissions from household energy use.

The programme may also improve public health by reducing smoke exposure in homes and create economic opportunities through briquette production and carbon credit revenues.

More broadly, it positions Benue as a potential leader in sub-national climate action within Nigeria.

Other states may closely watch the results to see whether similar programmes could be adopted elsewhere.

What’s Next

The next phase will focus on the rollout of the two million cookstoves across communities in Benue.

Authorities and project partners will need to coordinate distribution, training for households, and the production of briquette fuel.

If the project succeeds, it could become part of a larger plan discussed at the conference — an ambitious proposal to distribute up to 80 million cookstoves across Africa while launching large-scale tree-planting programmes to generate additional carbon credits.

Summary

Benue State has taken a bold step toward climate action by partnering with Greenplinth Africa to distribute two million clean cookstoves.

The project combines environmental protection with social benefits, offering cleaner cooking technology, financial incentives and health coverage for participating households.

Officials believe the programme could reduce deforestation, improve public health and create opportunities for climate financing through carbon credits.

If successful, it may serve as a model for other states across Nigeria and the wider African region.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Benue State signed an agreement with Greenplinth Africa to distribute two million clean cookstoves.

• The agreement was signed during the Green Conference in Lagos.

• Each household will receive cookstoves, cooking pots and 40kg of briquettes made from agricultural waste.

• The initiative aims to reduce deforestation, lower emissions and improve rural livelihoods.

• Participants will receive monthly financial incentives and health insurance coverage.

• Women and girls are expected to benefit significantly through reduced firewood collection and improved health.

• The programme could generate carbon credits, creating new climate financing opportunities.

• The project may become a model for other Nigerian states pursuing sustainable development and climate action.