The Naija CookWise campaign, spearheaded by the youth-led organization SustyVibes, is a timely and crucial initiative aimed at revolutionizing cooking practices in Nigeria and mitigating the detrimental health and environmental consequences associated with traditional cooking methods. Focusing on empowering one million women and youth, the campaign seeks to promote the adoption of cleaner cooking fuels and foster a nationwide transition towards sustainable cooking practices. The campaign’s comprehensive approach encompasses multifaceted strategies, including social media engagement, radio outreach, and high-level stakeholder dialogues, to effectively disseminate information, dispel misconceptions, and advocate for policy changes that support the widespread adoption of clean cooking solutions.
Currently, a significant majority of Nigerian households rely on solid biomass like firewood and charcoal for cooking. This dependence on traditional fuels not only contributes to severe respiratory illnesses, resulting in a substantial number of deaths annually, but also exacerbates deforestation and environmental degradation. Women and children bear the brunt of these negative impacts, enduring prolonged exposure to harmful smoke and spending considerable time collecting fuelwood. The Naija CookWise campaign recognizes the urgency of addressing this issue and aims to empower these vulnerable groups by providing them with access to cleaner, healthier cooking alternatives. By highlighting the tangible benefits of clean cooking fuels, the campaign strives to inspire behavioral change and create a healthier, more sustainable future for Nigerian communities.
The campaign’s strategic approach involves leveraging various communication channels to reach a broad audience. Social media platforms will play a pivotal role in disseminating information, utilizing storytelling, infographics, and interactive challenges to engage users and promote the advantages of clean cooking. This digital approach allows for targeted messaging and widespread dissemination of information, reaching a large demographic, particularly the youth, who are key drivers of change. Furthermore, radio tours in Ibadan, Enugu, and Kaduna, conducted in indigenous languages, will ensure that the campaign’s message reaches rural communities, bridging the information gap and ensuring inclusivity in the transition towards cleaner cooking practices. These radio broadcasts will provide a platform for sharing localized information, addressing specific concerns, and promoting community ownership of the campaign’s objectives.
The Naija CookWise campaign also places significant emphasis on engaging with key stakeholders to foster collaborative solutions. A high-level stakeholder dialogue, scheduled for April 2025, will bring together government officials, researchers, manufacturers, and women’s groups to discuss strategies for scaling clean cooking solutions nationwide. This collaborative platform will facilitate the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and policy recommendations, creating a synergistic approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of clean cooking technologies. The dialogue will also serve as an important platform for advocating for policy changes that support the widespread availability and affordability of clean cooking fuels.
The campaign’s launch coincides with the International Day of Clean Energy, underscoring its alignment with global efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions. The Naija CookWise campaign is not an isolated initiative but is deeply rooted in national efforts, including the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan (2022) and the recently approved National Clean Cooking Policy (2024). These national frameworks provide a supportive policy environment for the campaign’s objectives and highlight the government’s commitment to promoting clean cooking solutions. By aligning with these national priorities, the campaign strengthens its impact and contributes to the broader goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. The campaign’s strategic alignment with national policies ensures its long-term sustainability and integration into broader development agendas.
The pre-campaign survey conducted by SustyVibes provides valuable baseline data on existing knowledge and perceptions regarding clean cooking fuels. This data will inform the campaign’s messaging and outreach strategies, ensuring that the campaign effectively addresses existing misconceptions and promotes the benefits of clean cooking in a culturally sensitive and relevant manner. The survey data will also serve as a benchmark for evaluating the campaign’s impact and measuring progress towards its objectives. This data-driven approach ensures that the campaign is evidence-based and responsive to the needs and concerns of the target audience. By understanding the existing landscape of knowledge and attitudes, the campaign can tailor its messages to resonate with the target communities and effectively promote the adoption of cleaner cooking fuels.
Ultimately, the Naija CookWise campaign represents a concerted effort to transform cooking practices in Nigeria and improve the lives of millions of people. By promoting the adoption of cleaner cooking fuels, the campaign aims to reduce the health risks associated with traditional cooking methods, protect the environment, and empower women and youth. The campaign’s multifaceted approach, combining social media engagement, radio outreach, stakeholder dialogues, and policy advocacy, demonstrates a commitment to holistic and sustainable solutions. The Naija CookWise campaign holds immense promise for creating a healthier, more sustainable future for Nigerian communities and serves as a model for similar initiatives in other regions facing similar challenges. The campaign’s success will not only improve the lives of individuals and families but also contribute to broader national goals of sustainable development and environmental protection.
