…80 Million Stoves to Be Distributed Nationwide in Carbon Credit Push
In a historic step towards sustainable development and global climate leadership, Lagos State has formally inaugurated the 80 Million Clean Cookstoves Project – the world’s largest initiative of its kind. The project’s advisory board will be chaired by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago serving as Deputy Chairman.
The announcement was made during a high-level media briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Ikeja, where stakeholders gathered to witness the rollout of a project expected to reshape Nigeria’s climate economy and social welfare landscape.
“This is more than a clean energy intervention,” said Mrs. Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy. “We are building an entirely new carbon market ecosystem that includes communities, creates over 35 million green jobs, and distributes 80 million free cookstoves to the most vulnerable households.”
The project is the first In Nigeria to operate under the UNFCCC’s Article 6.4 framework through the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM), with the potential to generate 1.2 billion tonnes of compliance carbon offsets. It has already received backing from the Nigerian Climate Change Council (NCCC) and the Office of the Vice President through the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI).
Earlier, Lagos State signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GreenPlinth Africa, the designated implementing partner. The clean cookstoves will be deployed in phases, with six million units set for distribution in Lagos, beginning in Makoko this June.
Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, praised the project as a transformative opportunity for both climate and economic resilience.
“This is not just a climate win,” he said. “It’s a socio-economic revolution. We are positioning Lagos as the epicentre of Africa’s compliance carbon market and ensuring no one is left behind.”
A key highlight of the announcement was the unveiling of the Lagos Carbon Exchange (LCX)—Africa’s first subnational carbon trading platform, modeled after California’s. Slated to launch this month, the exchange will be domiciled under the Office of Climate Change & Circular Economy and drive green investment across state infrastructure and social programs.
Oshodi further revealed that the project will channel ₦1 billion annually to each of Lagos’ 57 LGAs and LCDAs, funding local green projects, including climate-smart health centres, renewable energy access for MSMEs, and health insurance for beneficiary households.
“We are using climate finance to deliver real change – healthcare, income generation, food security, and dignity for women and children,” she said.
The governance structure, described as robust and inclusive, features vice chairpersons from each geopolitical zone and representatives from the private sector, NGOs, and civil society.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, though not present at the briefing, was lauded for his vision and political will. “His Excellency has placed Lagos on the global climate map,” said Oshodi.
As Nigeria prepares for COP30, stakeholders say this initiative will serve as a flagship model for African climate innovation and compliance-based carbon trading.
“This is Lagos making history,” George declared. “We are sending a message to the world – Africa is ready to lead.”