By Gabriel Ameh
📍 Abuja — The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has signed two major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment and accelerating Nigeria’s climate action commitments.
Under the leadership of Honourable Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Ministry announced plans to empower 10,000 women and vulnerable Nigerians with electric tricycles for commercial use across the country’s 774 Local Government Areas.
This was contained in a statement signed by signed by Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, Head of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
According to the statement, the initiative forms part of the Ministry’s Green Economy Empowerment 774 (GEE774) programme.
On behalf of the Minister, Permanent Secretary Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye signed the agreement with Sparrow Mobility Limited, represented by its Director of Sales, Mr. Adeniyi Ologunleko.
Electric Mobility for Economic Inclusion
According to the Minister, beneficiaries will receive 3-wheeler electric tricycles, including 8-seater commercial units and tricycles equipped with hatches for rice milling operations.
She described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to:
Create green jobs
Promote women-led entrepreneurship
Expand access to sustainable transport
Strengthen household incomes
“This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and supports the country’s target of achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2060,” the Minister stated.
She added that embracing electric mobility will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while fostering a cleaner and healthier environment.
The programme also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of economic inclusion and environmental sustainability.
4 Million Solar Cookstoves to Tackle Indoor Pollution
In a related development, the Ministry signed another MoU with Clean Sustainable Renewable Solutions Limited (CSR Solutions) for the nationwide distribution of four million ECOCA Solar Electric Cookstove units.
The cookstove project is also being implemented under the GEE774 framework.
The Minister noted that indoor air pollution contributes to approximately 95,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, disproportionately affecting women and children.
She explained that the ECOCA cookstoves will:
Reduce dependence on firewood
Cut indoor air pollution
Reduce deforestation
Offset an estimated 4.5 tons of CO₂ per unit annually
“By easing the burden of traditional cooking methods, we are giving women more time for education and economic opportunities,” she said.
She emphasized that the clean cooking initiative strengthens Nigeria’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and supports the nation’s Net-Zero 2060 target.
“As we commit to clean cooking and zero emissions today, we promise a healthier, cleaner, and more equitable future for our women, children, and communities,” the Minister stated.
