A new international study has revealed that adopting clean cooking energy in Nigeria can lower long-term household expenses while significantly improving public health.

The research, led by Professor Davies Adeloye of Teesside University, highlights how millions of Nigerians relying on firewood, charcoal, and kerosene face rising health and financial costs.

Conducted under the C2REST Nigeria Study, the three-year project examined the relationship between climate, air quality, and health across rapidly growing urban communities.

Researchers worked in Alimosho in Lagos State and Ado-Odo/Ota in Ogun State—areas reflecting the pressures of urbanisation, industrial growth, and mixed-income populations.

Why It Matters

Many Nigerian households still depend on traditional fuels, which contribute to indoor air pollution and increase the risk of respiratory diseases.

The study found that while cleaner energy sources like gas and electricity may cost more upfront, they reduce long-term expenses through:

Fewer illnesses

Lower healthcare spending

Increased productivity

“Clean cooking is one of the most practical and immediate ways to improve public health while supporting economic development.” — Professor Davies Adeloye

Health and Economic Impact

Indoor air pollution remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in densely populated urban and peri-urban communities.

The findings suggest that cleaner cooking solutions could:

Reduce pressure on Nigeria’s healthcare system

Improve quality of life for families

Boost national productivity

The study aligns with Nigeria’s broader climate and energy transition goals, offering a scalable solution to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

Inequality in Access

The research also highlights disparities in access to clean cooking.

Lower-income households and larger families are less likely to adopt cleaner energy due to:

High upfront costs

Limited infrastructure

Poor access to supply chains

This, researchers say, underscores the need for inclusive policies.

Expert Insight

The study calls for urgent government intervention, including:

Subsidies for clean energy

Improved fuel distribution systems

Integration of clean cooking into national health and climate strategies

It also emphasises collaboration between government, private sector players, and development partners.

The programme is a joint effort involving University of Lagos and international partners across Africa and Europe.

What’s Next

With Nigeria’s population continuing to grow, energy demand is expected to rise sharply.

Researchers say scaling clean cooking solutions could become one of the most cost-effective ways to tackle the country’s interconnected challenges—health, climate change, and economic development.

An eye specialist in Lagos, Festus Odunayo Osoba, says his decision to study journalism was driven by a desire to improve how doctors communicate health information to the public.

Dr Osoba, founder of LadKem Eye Hospital, shared his views during a visit by journalists from the Correspondents’ Chapel ahead of their planned 2026 Press Week.

He told the Correspondent’s Chapel delegate that while medicine treats illness, communication is essential to preventing disease.

“In all my research, what I found out is that even in developed countries we have doctors, nurses and hospitals, yet people are still not getting well,” he said.

“Health is behaviour. The only way you can change people’s behaviour is through communication.”

From medicine to journalism

Dr Osoba explained that his academic journey spans several disciplines, including medicine, public administration, public health and law.

But he said he realised that knowledge alone was not enough if people could not understand health messages.

To address this gap, he enrolled at the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, where he completed broadcast journalism training in 2018.

“Whether you are a professor or whatever, your degree is useless until you learn how to communicate,” he said.

“When doctors speak grammar to patients, many people cannot comprehend what it means.”

He added that journalists play a crucial role in translating complex information into language the public can understand.

Why journalism matters

Dr Osoba described journalism as a “noble profession” that keeps society informed and safe.

He said accurate information could guide people’s decisions during crises and help them avoid danger.

“Everybody needs information because information is life,” he said.

“Sometimes there are missiles raining everywhere and everyone says don’t go out. A journalist must put that information out.”

He also emphasised that journalists should not only report problems but also guide society toward better solutions.

“If somebody has done well in a particular area, you should say it,” he said.

“But you can also tell them how they can do it better.”

Improving health awareness

Dr Osoba said his long-term goal is to use journalism to simplify medical information and promote healthier lifestyles.

According to him, many illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and malaria could be better managed if people understood prevention.

“If we talk about malaria or hypertension, we must present it in a way people understand,” he said.

“When people change their lifestyle, they spend less on treatment and society becomes healthier.”

He added that the approach could reduce healthcare costs while improving public wellbeing.

Industry perspective

Media experts say health communication is becoming increasingly important as misinformation spreads online.

Public health campaigns often rely on journalists to translate technical data into clear stories for the public.

According to communication scholars, collaboration between doctors and journalists can improve health literacy and encourage preventive healthcare.

The importance of networks

Dr Osoba also stressed the importance of professional relationships in achieving social impact.

“Your network determines your net worth,” he said.

Why it matters

Health experts say poor communication between doctors and patients can lead to misunderstanding, delayed treatment and poor health outcomes.

By combining medicine with journalism, specialists like Dr Osoba believe they can bridge the gap between medical knowledge and public understanding.

He said his mission is simple.

“My motto is to be a happiness generator and a happiness distributor,” he said.

“I want a world where people understand their health and live better lives.”

Nigeria’s fight against health misinformation has taken a new turn, as the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI) trained media professionals on blood genetics and ethical health reporting.

The two-hour virtual crash course, held on 18 February 2026, brought together journalists, broadcasters, editors and content creators from across the country.

The session, titled “Inform Right, Inform Well,” focused on improving accuracy in reports about blood groups, haemoglobin genotypes and sickle cell disorder.

SAMI said the training was part of its activities marking World Radio Day 2026 and aimed at strengthening the role of the media in shaping public health awareness.

Why it matters

Nigeria carries the highest global burden of sickle cell disorder.

According to health estimates cited by SAMI, more than four million Nigerians live with the condition, while about 150,000 babies are born with it every year.

Despite this, public understanding of blood genetics remains low.

Misreporting on issues such as genotype compatibility, Rhesus factor, and sickle cell inheritance has often led to stigma, confusion in relationships, and delayed medical decisions.

SAMI said closing this knowledge gap within the media is critical.

“The goal of the crash course is to close long-standing gaps in media reporting on blood genetics,” the organisation noted, adding that blood groups and genotypes are often misunderstood or oversimplified in public communication.

What journalists were taught

The session opened with SAMI’s Communication Officer, Yomi Oyelami, outlining the objectives of the training.

Three modules were delivered by subject-matter experts Tobi Olaitan, Peter Osikoya and Maureen Nwachi.

They covered the basics of genetics, blood composition, the ABO and Rhesus blood group systems, and haemoglobin genotypes.

Participants were also guided through practical explanations of Rhesus incompatibility, genotype testing, and how sickle cell disorder is inherited.

The training included a live question-and-answer session and a simulation of genetic crossing to help journalists understand inheritance patterns.

SAMI’s Administrative Lead, Bolaji Ibrahim, closed the session with a call for more responsible storytelling.

He urged journalists to apply their knowledge to shape informed public narratives around sickle cell disorder.

The wider health context

Sickle cell disorder is a genetic condition that affects red blood cells, often leading to severe pain episodes, infections and other complications.

Many patients require regular medical care and emergency interventions.

However, access to comprehensive healthcare remains limited for many families, increasing financial strain and preventable deaths.

Founded in 2018 by Toyin Adesola, SAMI says its vision is “to have a society where sickle cell disorder is reduced and people with sickle cell and their families are able to live healthy, positive and productive lives.”

The organisation runs two major programmes: Xtracare, which focuses on healthcare management and support, and Touch A Cell, which drives advocacy and public awareness.

What’s next?

SAMI says it plans to continue engaging media professionals and expanding public awareness campaigns through radio, community outreach and organised forums.

For readers, the message is clear: verify genotype status, seek medical advice from professionals, and rely on credible health reporting.