Nigeria green economy requires deliberate collaboration to scale – Oshodi

Titilayo Oshodi, the special adviser (SA) to Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on climate change and circular economy, says Nigeria’s green economy requires deliberate collaboration among key stakeholders to scale.

“It is important to emphasize that achieving scale will require deliberate partnership. Government alone cannot drive this transition,” Oshodi said in a keynote address delivered virtually during the strategic project implementation management retreat and stakeholders engagement of the 80M Clean Cookstoves project in Nigeria.

Themed, ‘Clean Cooking Access in Africa: Igniting Socio-Economic Change with 80M Clean Cookstoves in Nigeria,’ and chaired by Ibrahim Usman Jibril, Emir of Nasarawa & President, Nasarawa Emirate Council.

Organised by GreenPlinth Africa Limited, the two-day retreat included a strategic action for the phased roll-out of the 80M Clean Cookstoves project in Nigeria, and a special media chat aimed at stirring conversations and actionable plans.

Oshodi in her keynote said that the success of the clean cookstove initiative will depend on strong alignment across governments, investors, manufacturers, developing partners, financial institutions, technology providers, community organisations, and the media.

“The private sector alone cannot guarantee widespread adoption. Financial and development finance institutions alone cannot sustain long-term implementation,” she said.

According to Oshodi, global investors are prioritizing projects that demonstrate strong environmental returns, with clear social impacts and credible implementation pathways. “This initiative clearly meets those expectations.”

She however added that the 80 million clean cookstove initiative requires efficient capital, innovative financial structures, effective integration into carbon markets, and robust governance systems to ensure credible and sustained implementation.

“Beyond these economic gains, it enhances community resilience by improving health, safety, and energy security while positioning Nigeria more firmly within the emerging global green economy,” Oshodi said.

Babatunde Aina, Group Chief Financial Officer, GreenPlinth Africa Limited, said Nigeria cannot afford to remain on the sidelines of the global clean energy transition.

According to him, Nigeria cannot afford to watch opportunity pass by; adding that the 80 million clean cookstove project offers a different path to a more prosperous country.

“Nigeria cannot afford to leave millions of women and children exposed to avoidable household smoke, unsafe wells, and energy poverty,” Aina said.

Ibrahim Usman Jibril, Emir of Nasarawa & President, Nasarawa Emirate Council, said that the initiative was designed to reduce environmental damage, lower indoor air pollution, and support family welfare.

Jibril, a former minister of state for environment, who served as the chairman of the retreat disclosed that the 80 million clean cookstove initiative creates climate outcomes that are verified and globally relevant in the capital finance ecosystem.

“For GreenPlinth to come up with this initiative, they are not only helping us to get the carbon credit that others are ripping away, but they’re helping humanity,” he said.