Nigeria’s leading communications infrastructure company, IHS Nigeria, in partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Health Services and Environment Secretariat (FCT-HSES), has successfully concluded the Project Breathe Clean Air Abuja, a landmark initiative designed to help the underserved communities across the Federal Capital Territory to access Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders as a cleaner alternative for household cooking.
The Grand Finale Ceremony, which held at the Bwari Area Council Stadium, marked the successful completion of the project following months of implementation across all the six Area Councils of the FCT. The event also featured the symbolic presentation of LPG cylinders and refill vouchers to beneficiaries in Bwari, the final beneficiary community under the programme.
Speaking at the event Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Services Officer, IHS Nigeria, Mr. Dapo Otunla, who represented the Chief Executive Officer, Mohamad Darwish, described the initiative as a practical demonstration of the company’s commitment to delivering sustainable impact in the communities where it operates.
“When we launched this initiative in November 2025, we committed to supporting the FCT Administration in reducing household air pollution and improving the health and wellbeing of vulnerable communities. Today, we are proud to celebrate the successful fulfilment of that commitment,” he said.
Mr. Otunla noted that Project Breathe Clean Air Abuja aligns directly with two of IHS Nigeria’s core sustainability pillars: Environment and Climate Change, and People and Communities.
He explained that by supporting the transition from traditional biomass fuels such as firewood and charcoal to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), the initiative has contributed to cleaner household energy use, reduced exposure to indoor air pollution, and improved health outcomes, particularly for women and children.
According to him, the project delivered 10,000 LPG cylinders across communities in the FCT over two phases, while also enrolling 2,000 beneficiaries into the IHS Project Clinic Without Walls (PCWOW) Health Insurance Scheme, thereby extending the project’s impact beyond clean energy to improved access to healthcare.
“As we celebrate the successful completion of this initiative, we are also celebrating the strength of partnership. The collaboration between IHS Nigeria, the FCT Administration, community leaders and the implementing partners has transformed a shared vision into measurable impact,” he added.
Delivering an overview of the project, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, reflected on the journey that led to the initiative and expressed appreciation to IHS Nigeria for supporting the FCT Administration’s vision of promoting cleaner, healthier communities.
She explained that the project was conceived as a practical response to the widespread use of firewood and charcoal for cooking across communities in the FCT. “We could not simply ask people to stop using firewood and charcoal without providing them with a practical alternative,” she said.
Dr. Fasawe commended IHS Nigeria for embracing the vision and providing the support required to make the project a reality.
She noted that, through the partnership, beneficiaries across the six Area Councils received LPG cylinders alongside refill vouchers, helping their households transition to cleaner cooking methods while reducing exposure to harmful household smoke. She further described the project as an example of how collaboration between government and the private sector can deliver meaningful improvement in the lives of citizens.
Beneficiaries also shared testimonials on how the access to clean cooking energy has improved their daily living conditions, while officials of the Federal Fire Service conducted a practical demonstration on the safe handling and use of LPG cylinders.
The ceremony brought together senior officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, representatives of the Honourable Minister of State for the FCT, Area Council representatives, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders in celebration of the successful completion of the initiative.
The IHS Nigeria delegation was led by the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Services Officer, Mr. Dapo Otunla, and included, Director, Sustainability, Titilope Oguntuga, Director, Corporate Communications, Sylva Ifedigbo and other members of the company’s leadership and sustainability teams.
The successful conclusion of “Project Breathe Clean Air Abuja” reinforces IHS Nigeria’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through strategic partnerships that promote environmental responsibility, improve public health outcomes and strengthen the resilience of host communities.
