Across Nigeria, millions of women still cook over open fires, breathing in smoke that harms their health and the environment. In Ogun State, that’s beginning to change. Through the Clean Cooking Advocacy Initiative, Solar Sister Nigeria and its partners have distributed 2,200 clean cookstoves to women in 80 rural communities. Beyond reducing household air pollution, the project empowers women with training and business support to build clean energy enterprises that strengthen families and local economies.
November 5th, 2025. In partnership with the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), the European Union (EU), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Federal Ministry of Power, Solar Sister Nigeria has distributed 2,200 clean cookstoves to households across 80 communities in Ogun State. The initiative, known as the Clean Cooking Advocacy Initiative, aims to reduce household air pollution, improve health outcomes, and enhance climate resilience for families in last-mile communities. The Clean Cooking Advocacy Initiative is part of the Women Clean Cooking Empowerment Project (WoCCEP)—a six-month intervention designed to promote the adoption of clean cooking solutions and build a sustainable clean cooking market for entrepreneurs.
Beyond distribution, the project emphasizes entrepreneurship, providing capacity building and business development support to help women start or expand their clean energy enterprises. The project also prioritizes monitoring, reporting, and knowledge sharing to strengthen learning, improve implementation, and guide future scale-up efforts.
Speaking at the launch event held at the Rolak Hotel, Mr. Chimereze Nwosu, Advisor for Sustainable Energy Investment at NESP, highlighted the dangers of traditional cooking methods using firewood and charcoal. He said the adoption of clean cookstoves would help reduce harmful emissions and promote a healthier, more sustainable environment.
Women at the Center of Change
Solar Sister Nigeria’s Country Director, Chioma Ome, described the initiative as “a remarkable step in our shared commitment to improving livelihoods, protecting our environment, and empowering women and families through access to clean energy solutions.”
“At Solar Sister, we believe that women are at the heart of driving the adoption of clean energy. By equipping women entrepreneurs and households with sustainable cooking technologies, we not only reduce carbon emissions but also create economic opportunities that ripple through entire communities. I encourage us to explore ways to deepen partnerships, sustain the impact of this project, and scale clean cooking access to every household in Ogun State and beyond.”
Solar Sister is a women-centered social enterprise advancing clean energy access and economic empowerment across Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania. In Nigeria, our work focuses on building last-mile distribution networks through women entrepreneurs who bring clean energy solutions—such as solar lamps and clean cookstoves—to rural and underserved communities. In Nigeria alone, Solar Sister has supported the creation of over 4,500 women-led clean energy businesses across 30 Nigerian states, reaching more than 1.5 million people with affordable solar lights and clean cookstoves. In Ogun State, local women entrepreneurs trained and supported by Solar Sister have distributed over 8,000 clean energy products.
Partnership for Impact
The Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Emmanuel Sofela, represented by Engr. Akintanmide Kehinde Olukayode described the collaboration “a celebration of empowerment, innovation, and partnership.” He highlighted that women are taking center stage in the clean energy revolution, improving family health, driving economic growth, and supporting environmental sustainability.
“This initiative, which involves the distribution of 2,200 clean cookstoves to 2,200 women across Ogun State at no cost, is both timely and strategic. He added that the initiative supports the state government’s efforts to promote sustainability, women’s inclusion, and environmental responsibility through innovative partnerships.”
Cleaner Air, Healthier Families
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye, was represented by Mrs. Titilanu Amusan, who emphasized that clean cooking and advocacy are not just about energy, but also about women’s empowerment and sustainable development.
“Millions of women and children are exposed to smoke from firewood and charcoal, leading to serious health problems. The distribution of these clean cookstoves will help reduce household air pollution,” she noted.
Voices from the Community
Beneficiaries Mrs. Ifeyemi Omolara Abisoye and Mrs. Toyin Bello expressed gratitude for the initiative and pledged to make full use of their new clean cookstoves.
Some remarks and quotes are excerpted from an article in Infopalavanews.