Growing Charcoal Usage Raises Environmental Concerns in Borno

Borno State, located in the Lake Chad region, has long struggled with harsh climatic conditions, including desertification and extreme heat. For more than a decade, insecurity caused by insurgency further exacerbated these environmental challenges, as deforestation and climate action took a backseat to survival and displacement. However, as peace gradually returns, a new environmental crisis has emerged—the increasing reliance on charcoal as a cooking fuel, which threatens to worsen the state’s climate problems.

With rising fuel costs and economic hardship, many households in both urban and rural areas of Borno have turned to charcoal as a cheaper alternative to diesel and gas for cooking. This shift, however, comes at a significant environmental cost. The widespread felling of trees for charcoal production has led to severe deforestation, particularly in areas like Biu, Kwaya Kusar, and Bayo, where soil erosion is already a major concern.

Experts warn that trees play a crucial role in combating desertification, improving air quality, and providing shade in a region already struggling with excessive heat. Their loss not only accelerates environmental degradation but also contributes to higher temperatures, making life even more unbearable for residents, especially during the fasting months when extreme heat has previously resulted in fatalities.

Another alarming impact of increased charcoal use is its contribution to the intensification of heat in Borno’s urban areas, particularly in Maiduguri, the state capital. Residents have observed that the air feels heavier and hotter, as charcoal-burning releases pollutants that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Additionally, concerns have been raised about the link between charcoal use and fire outbreaks. In cities like Maiduguri, where many homes and markets are built with highly flammable materials, the risk of fire incidents has increased. Some residents blame charcoal stoves for recent market fires, though official reports on the direct causes remain inconclusive.

The charcoal business has become a lucrative trade for many youths in Borno, providing much-needed income in an economy struggling to recover from years of conflict. Despite a government ban on the sale of charcoal in 2021, enforcement has been weak. Charcoal vendors continue to operate openly, with many residents citing economic hardship as the reason they cannot afford alternative cooking fuels.

“The price of diesel is too high. We have no choice but to use charcoal,” says Abubakar Umar, a resident of Maiduguri. “It’s cheaper, and we can buy it in small quantities.”

While the immediate economic benefits of charcoal are clear, the long-term environmental damage it causes cannot be ignored. Experts urge the government and stakeholders to intensify efforts in promoting affordable and sustainable cooking alternatives, such as clean energy stoves and solar-powered cooking systems.

Additionally, reforestation programs and stricter enforcement of anti-deforestation laws are crucial to mitigating the damage already done. Without urgent intervention, Borno may face an even more severe climate crisis in the years to come—one that could undo the progress made in rebuilding the state after years of conflict.

For now, the charcoal trade continues to thrive, providing relief for struggling households while silently fueling a new environmental disaster.