Africare Nigeria launched their Behavioural Change Campaign (BCC), tagged “Upgrade to Gas” in Lagos state and Abuja from 25-28 July 2017. The Campaign, funded by the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves seeks to increase awareness, adoption and use of LPG cookstoves among households in Nigeria.

Prior to the launch, Africare had engaged with key stakeholders and project influencers including Nigeria LPG Association (NLPGA), Gas to Health Initiative, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the LPG Retailers Association (LPGAR), UN Women, Solar Sisters, Techno Oil, Women in LPG (WINLPG) Nigeria Chapter and the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves (NACC) among others. Officials from the NLPGA have also trained staff of Africare on various aspects of LPG use and basic fire safety.

On the occasion of the launch of the campaign at Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abuja, the representative of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Brenda Ataga, Special Adviser, Downstream, promised that the ministry will do everything possible to ensure that gas is affordable, available and accessible to households. She stated that the ministry has a programme in the pipeline that will support women to start gas businesses (marketing and distribution to rural communities). Mrs Sube, representing the Federal Ministry of Health, emphasized the need for everyone to switch to LPG as a cleaner and healthier alternative to firewood and charcoal. Mrs M.M Abam, representing the Energy Commission of Nigeria pledged the commission’s willingness to support Africare in achieving their objective as it is part of the commission’s mandate. The launch was also attended by representatives of Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, Federal Ministry of Environment, and Seriki of Nyanya among others.

Africare is a leading non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to addressing African development and policy issues by working in partnership with African people to build sustainable, healthy and productive communities. Africare has substantial experience in collaborating with the private sector, government as well as community stakeholders to deliver community-based interventions to hard-to-reach vulnerable populations. Africare is currently operating in 14 African countries including Nigeria.