Climate Fight: Namadi, Donors Unite on Clean Energy, Jobs Creation
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deepen collaboration with development partners and organisations on policies and projects that promote clean energy adoption, environmental sustainability and economic empowerment.
The governor made this known at a media launch and policy engagement on the “Waste to Wealth (Jigawa Cooking Initiative)” held at Baranda community in Dutse.
The programme was organised by the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE), funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and implemented by the Exceptional Leadership and Integrity Promotion Initiative (ELIP).
Represented by the Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Engr. Surajo Musa, Namadi pledged to scale up the Waste-to-Wealth initiative—an inclusive clean energy and livelihood project – to other wards across the state.
He stressed that his administration would continue to back policies and partnerships capable of driving green growth and sustainable livelihoods.
“As a government, we are encouraged by the success of this pilot, and I am pleased to announce our commitment to scaling up this initiative across other political wards in the state,” he said.
“It is also our resolve to attract private sector participation in our green growth agenda by leveraging the climate financing tools promoted by the PACE programme.”
The governor commended the FCDO, PACE and ELIP for initiating the project and urged beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity to build sustainable livelihoods.
“To all the beneficiaries, I urge you to take advantage of this rare opportunity to create lasting impact in your households and communities,” he added.
In his remarks, the Project Manager of ELIP’s Waste-to-Wealth Initiative, Comrade Isah Mustapha, described the intervention as a response to pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges.
He noted that many communities continue to grapple with poor waste management, environmental degradation, climate change impacts, and limited access to affordable clean energy, alongside rising unemployment among women and youth.
According to him, the initiative is built on the idea that waste can be transformed into value through the production of briquettes and energy-efficient cookstoves, thereby addressing environmental concerns while creating jobs.
Mustapha explained that the project has gone beyond theory to practical implementation, with community members trained in briquette production and clean cookstove fabrication using locally available materials.
“These are practical, hands-on processes aimed at proving that the solutions are not only environmentally sound but also economically viable,” he said.
He added that the project has tested the efficiency and market acceptability of its products while ensuring inclusiveness by engaging women and youth as producers and entrepreneurs.
Providing an update on implementation, the project manager disclosed that six community-based production centres have been established across three pilot local government areas Dutse, Kiri Kasamma and Ringim.
The centres are located in Baranda and Sakwaya (Dutse LGA), Kiri Kasamma and Turabu (Kiri Kasamma LGA), as well as Ringim and Dabi (Ringim LGA), serving as hubs for innovation, production and enterprise development.
He further revealed that over 120 participants mostly women and youth have been trained and equipped with practical skills, while the centres are fully operational with tools and starter kits managed by organised groups and cooperatives.
“Beneficiaries are no longer just trainees; they are emerging entrepreneurs contributing to a growing green economy,” Mustapha said.
Also speaking, the National Team Lead of FCDO-PACE, Mr Ifeanyi Peters Ugwuoke, said the project highlights the impact of collaboration among communities, government and the private sector in addressing climate vulnerabilities.
He noted that the initiative is expected to reduce emissions, curb deforestation and flooding, and sustain livelihoods across participating communities.
Ugwuoke added that the PACE intervention has supported climate governance reforms in Jigawa State, expressing optimism that the frameworks and partnerships would further deepen climate action, create green jobs, strengthen resilience and accelerate sustainable economic development.
