Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has unveiled a major environmental sustainability initiative with the distribution of 23,700 clean cooking gas cylinders free of charge to school teachers and environmental vanguards across the state’s 27 local government areas.
The initiative, which also includes refill vouchers for beneficiaries, was announced on Thursday during the 2026 National Tree Planting Campaign and Distribution of Clean Cooking Stoves and Gas Cylinders held in Maiduguri.
Governor Zulum said the programme is designed to reduce dependence on firewood, combat deforestation, improve household health, and lower carbon emissions across the state.
He explained that the first phase would see the distribution of 5,000 clean cooking gas cylinders and stoves to teachers and environmental vanguards in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area, while beneficiaries in the remaining 25 local government areas would receive theirs in subsequent phases.
“I am particularly delighted that today’s programme also includes the distribution of clean cooking stoves and 5,000 cooking gas cylinders to be distributed to school teachers. The programme does not end with the distribution of the gas cooking cylinders; we shall also be giving them vouchers that they will use to refill their cylinders from designated vendors,” the governor said.
He noted that the initiative would significantly reduce reliance on firewood while improving public health and protecting the state’s forests.
“This initiative will significantly reduce dependence on firewood, improve household health, protect our forests, reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of life of thousands of families across our communities. Borno State Government under my leadership will provide cylinders to the remaining teachers in other local government areas of the state,” he added.
Governor Zulum reaffirmed that environmental restoration remains a key component of his administration’s rebuilding and recovery agenda, stressing that ecological sustainability is essential to lasting peace and development.
“As we reconstruct communities affected by conflict, we must equally restore the ecosystems that sustain those communities. Sustainable peace and sustainable development cannot flourish in a degraded environment,” he said.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising environmental sustainability under the Renewed Hope Agenda and praised First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her efforts in promoting environmental conservation.
He also acknowledged the support of the Federal Ministry of Environment, its agencies and development partners for their contributions to building a climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable Borno State.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawan, described the initiative as an innovative model for tackling deforestation by combining tree planting with clean cooking alternatives.
“I want to say here that this is the first time I have seen tree planting connected with practical alternatives. The Governor is giving people alternatives by distributing 5,000 clean cooking stoves to our teachers. If you can remove 5,000 people from using firewood, it is a great achievement, and I commend the governor for that,” the minister said.
He formally flagged off the 2026 National Tree Planting Campaign, announcing the planting of four million seedlings across the country.
“Today we are launching the planting of four million seedlings provided by various sectors. I have also heard that more than 20 million trees have already been planted in Borno State. This is a remarkable achievement, and we will encourage other states to emulate what Borno has accomplished,” he added.
The minister called on governments at all levels, schools, faith-based organisations, the private sector, youth groups, women and all Nigerians to actively participate in tree planting, describing it as a shared responsibility necessary for protecting the environment and securing a sustainable future.
