Empowering Women, Transforming Energy: Nigeria’s Bold New Clean Energy Agenda

By Oluwabukola Jimoh ــ Last Update 03 May 2025

In a historic move to tackle energy poverty and champion women’s economic empowerment, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, FSI, officially inaugurated the Steering Committee for the Nigerian Women LPG Scale-Up and Empowerment Initiative on April 25, 2025.

The event, held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Abuja, marks a crucial step in Nigeria’s drive towards clean energy and gender-inclusive development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In her powerful address, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim framed the initiative as more than an energy project — it’s a national movement for health, climate action, economic empowerment, and dignity.

“We are here to catalyse a shift,” she declared. “A shift from reliance on traditional cooking fuels to a future of clean, efficient energy, with women as creators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in this revolution.”

Members of the steering team include Prince Xavier, TA to the minister; M M Ibrahim, Chairman of the Nigeria Gas Expansion Programme; Mrs Joy Shiyen of Women In LPG; Dr. Yinka Okpeke, CEO of Smart Energies; and Godwin Okoduwa, former chairman of the LPG and Natural Gas group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Addressing the Reality of Energy Poverty

The Minister painted a sobering picture of the challenges ahead: nearly 30 million Nigerian households still rely on wood for cooking, and over 77,000 lives — predominantly women and children — are lost each year due to household air pollution.
“This is not just about cooking fuel,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized. “It’s about health. About climate action. About economic freedom. And above all, about dignity.”

Steering Committee: The Engine of Change

The newly inaugurated Steering Committee is tasked with leading this ambitious national agenda. Their mandate includes:

l Designing a comprehensive roadmap for LPG adoption among women.

l Coordinating partnerships across government, development partners, and the private sector.

l Mobilizing resources to scale clean energy initiatives.

l Upskilling women to become entrepreneurs in the LPG value chain.

l Ensuring safe and widespread access to efficient LPG equipment across Nigeria.

This initiative directly supports Nigeria’s broader goals, including:

l Achieving Net Zero emissions by 2060.

l Advancing Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

l Meeting commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Gender Policy.

l Upholding international frameworks such as Beijing+30 and CEDAW.

A Call to Bold Action

In her closing remarks, Hon. Sulaiman-Ibrahim charged the committee to move from planning to bold execution:

"We already have the blueprint. What we need now is action. Your work begins today, and I am confident that together, we can make a massive difference."

The inauguration ceremony was attended by committee members, staff of the Ministry, development partners, civil society leaders, and energy and gender sector stakeholders — all united by a common goal: ensuring Nigerian women lead the clean energy revolution.

At LPG in Nigeria, we applaud this powerful initiative and look forward to supporting efforts that place women at the heart of Nigeria’s sustainable energy future. Together, we can drive inclusive growth, healthier communities, and a greener Nigeria.

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Oluwabukola Jimoh

Oluwabukola Jimoh is a dynamic academic writer and captivating energy blogger. She is able to delve into intricate subjects with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, crafting thought-provoking essays that engage and enlighten her readers.