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The Federal Capital Territory Administration has unveiled the “Breathe Clean Air in Abuja” Initiative, a landmark public health and environmental campaign designed to tackle household air pollution and promote a shift to clean cooking solutions across the territory.

The event, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, drew a wide array of stakeholders, including top government officials, environmental experts, development partners, health advocates, and schoolchildren, underscoring the urgency and broad support for the transition to safer household energy.

At the launch, the Health and Environment Mandate Secretary, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, described the initiative as a decisive turning point in the country’s pursuit of healthier homes and communities. She highlighted the dangers faced by millions of Nigerians who still depend on firewood and charcoal, often subjecting families—especially women and children—to harmful smoke linked to respiratory diseases and increased cancer risk.

Stressing that the fatalities associated with household air pollution are avoidable, she noted that the new effort is not merely about distributing 5,000 cylinders but represents the beginning of a national movement. “Clean air is a right,” she declared, urging Nigerians to embrace the transition.

The initiative received a significant boost from IHS Towers, which donated 5,000 LPG cylinders for the pilot phase. Co-founder of the company, Mr. Sam Darwish, reaffirmed IHS Towers’ commitment to improving public health and championing environmental solutions.

He noted that access to clean energy is fundamental to protecting families and empowering women, adding that the organisation is proud to support both the Abuja project and possible future expansions across the country.

Global health concerns underscore the critical importance of the programme. According to the World Health Organization, household air pollution claims 3.2 million lives annually. Nigeria remains heavily affected, with more than 120 million people relying on firewood and charcoal, a practice that contributes to respiratory infections, lung cancer, and long-term health complications.

Dr. Fasawe, recalling her clinical experience treating preventable illnesses tied to environmental hazards, likened the new campaign to the country’s successful Ebola response, noting that early action and strong public communication remain key to tackling health challenges.

Cancer prevention specialist, Dr. Ramatu Usman, added a sobering perspective by highlighting the growing number of women diagnosed with lung cancer despite never having smoked.

She explained that many of them inhaled smoke from traditional kitchens, and warned that while treatment can cost as much as ₦7 million per month, prevention can be achieved simply by adopting clean cooking fuels.

The National Assembly expressed strong support for the initiative, with the Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on FCT Health, Hon. Dr. M. A. Oriyan, announcing that the programme will be captured in the 2026 national budget. His commitment signals legislative backing for the initiative’s continuity and its potential expansion nationwide.

One of the most memorable moments of the launch came from a schoolgirl named Isabella, who moved the audience with an emotional poem titled “Abuja, Our Hope Will Breathe Again.” Her performance earned a standing ovation and served as a powerful reminder of the generational importance of clean air advocacy.

Beyond its health goals, the Clean Air Initiative aligns with broader climate and development priorities, including reducing carbon emissions, enhancing recycling practices, improving urban sanitation, and creating new economic opportunities—particularly for women.

Dr. Fasawe, widely respected for her environmental leadership, reinforced her long-held belief in resource recovery, saying, “Everybody’s waste is somebody’s raw material.”

However, she also stressed that Abuja cannot win the fight alone. Environmental protection, she cautioned, must be coordinated regionally. “Environment has no boundaries. If Abuja succeeds but Nasarawa fails, we have not won,” she warned.

With strong government commitment, private sector investment, and increasing community engagement, Abuja is poised to become a national model for clean energy transition.

Officials maintain that the launch marks the beginning of a sustained effort that could significantly improve public health, advance environmental resilience, and transform the country’s approach to household energy.

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