.Says 98,000 Nigerian Women Die Annually Due to Indoor Air Pollution
Favour Ishember, Abuja
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reiterated her supports for Decade of Gas LPG program to empower Women in 1 million homes each year, while expressing that 98,000 Nigerian women die annually due to indoor air pollution, exceeding deaths caused by malaria and HIV combined.
The Minister, who spoke during the launching of the South-East Zone Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme in Imo State, describing it as a significant step towards clean energy, safer households, and inclusive development.
“Global data reveals a heartbreaking truth: indoor air pollution is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in Nigeria. The smoke inhaled by women cooking with unclean fuel is equivalent to consuming multiple packs of cigarettes per day. Every year, 98,000 Nigerian women die simply because they are trying to feed their families.
“This staggering number exceeds deaths caused by malaria and HIV combined. This is why our transition to LPG is not optional, not merely developmental or environmental; it is a humanitarian imperative. Every single cylinder we distribute today is a life saved, a home protected, and a mother preserved”.
“This moment is more than a gathering; it feels like the unfolding of a new dawn. The launch of the South-East Zone Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme shines before us as a beacon of renewal; a transformative intervention that breathes hope into our communities, safeguards the health of our families, and moves our nation closer to a future where every home can cook, breathe, and live in dignity”.
In her remarks , Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized that the programme is a humanitarian imperative, aimed at addressing the deadly public health crisis caused by indoor air pollution from traditional cooking fuels.
“It is a moment that carries both grace and destiny, marking a significant step in our collective journey toward clean energy, safer households, and truly inclusive development”.
The Minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to the Decade of Gas Initiative, and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State for his dedication to the programme. She also acknowledged the contributions of the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, and other partners.
“Let me at this juncture offer heartfelt congratulations to the visionary leaders who have made this milestone a reality. To His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose unwavering leadership and courageous political will continue to anchor the Decade of Gas Initiative; the very heartbeat of the Renewed Hope Agenda—we remain deeply grateful. To our indefatigable host, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Champion of Renewed Hope in the South-East, we salute your steadfast commitment, your responsiveness to the needs of your people, and your relentless pursuit of progress”.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Women’s Inclusion in Nigeria’s Gas Sector Strategy (WINGS), aimed at empowering women and promoting their participation in the gas value chain. She emphasized that women are not only beneficiaries of the clean energy revolution but also the backbone of it.
“Today’s launch is monumental because it confronts a silent but deadly crisis that has burdened our families; especially our women and children for generations. For too long, millions of households have depended on firewood, kerosene, and other inefficient solid fuels that release toxic smoke directly into their kitchens. This is not merely an inconvenience; it is a deadly public health emergency that has silently claimed far too many lives”.
The Minister called for collaboration and partnership to achieve the Federal Government’s target of converting one million homes to LPG every year, and assured that the Ministry is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the programme’s success.
The launch is expected to promote clean energy, reduce indoor air pollution, and empower women in the South-East zone and beyond.
