The UN Women Nigeria Biogas Initiative is transforming lives by empowering rural women, promoting access to clean energy, and advancing Nigeria’s fight against climate change. By introducing biogas technology to underserved communities, the initiative provides a sustainable and cost-effective solution that benefits both people and the planet.
This initiative is dedicated to empowering rural women by providing them with access to affordable and renewable energy through biogas production. This shift not only improves women’s livelihoods but also alleviates the daily burdens faced by families in rural communities.
“Since I started using biogas, I have saved a lot of money because I no longer need to buy firewood or charcoal. Now I use the money to pay my daughter’s school fees,” says Madam Victoria Alade, a beneficiary of the UN Women Nigeria Biogas Initiative.
Victoria’s story is just one of many. Across Nigeria, women are adopting biogas as a reliable energy source that reduces expenses, saves time, and enhances overall quality of life.
Key Benefits of the Biogas Initiative
Livelihood Improvement: By reducing the need to collect firewood, the initiative saves women time and physical effort—time that they can now dedicate to education, work, or family.
Climate-Friendly Energy: Biogas is a clean, renewable energy source that decreases dependency on fossil fuels like kerosene and charcoal, directly contributing to climate change mitigation.
Health and Safety: Traditional cooking fuels often produce harmful indoor smoke. Switching to biogas improves air quality and reduces health risks, especially for women and children.
Community Empowerment: The initiative supports a transition toward climate-smart agriculture and sustainable living, providing communities with tools to build resilience and lower their carbon footprint.
Reducing Deforestation: By offering an alternative to firewood, the initiative helps curb deforestation, which is a major driver of climate change and land degradation.
How It Works
The initiative involves installing biogas units in rural households. These systems convert organic waste—such as animal manure and agricultural residues—into biogas that can be used for cooking and lighting. It’s a closed-loop, eco-friendly solution that turns waste into energy.
Target Areas
The Biogas Initiative has been rolled out in several Nigerian states, including:
- Bauchi
- Niger
- Yobe
- Kwara
- Sokoto
In these communities, rural women are leading the change toward sustainable living, with clean energy at the core.
Overall Goals
- Empower women through access to clean, affordable energy.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Promote sustainable agriculture and community resilience.
- Improve health outcomes by reducing indoor air pollution.
- Contribute to Nigeria’s broader climate change and sustainable development goals.
The UN Women Nigeria Biogas Initiative is more than just an energy solution; it exemplifies how climate action and gender empowerment can go hand in hand. By placing women at the centre of clean energy solutions, the initiative is illuminating the path toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.
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