Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced the free distribution of 23,700 clean cooking gas cylinders to primary school teachers and environmental vanguards across the state’s 27 local government areas of the state.

The governor said the free distribution of clean cooking gas and cylinders is part of the Federal and State governments’ efforts to tackle deforestation, climate change, and promote environmental sustainability in the state.

Zulum also disclosed that the thousands of beneficiaries would receive refill vouchers to enable them use their clean gas cylinders through designated vendors in Maiduguri.

Zulum made the announcements on Thursday in Maiduguri, during the 2026 National Tree Planting Campaign and distribution of clean cooking stoves and gas cylinders.

He added that the first phase of the programme would see the distribution of 5,000 cooking gas cylinders and clean cooking stoves to teachers and environmental vanguards in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Area, while beneficiaries from 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,” Zulum stated.

The governor noted that the initiative would reduce dependence on firewood, improve public health and contribute significantly to protecting the state’s forests.

Beyond the free distribution exercise, he disclosed: “This initiative will significantly reduce dependence on firewood, improve household health, protect our forests, reduce carbon emission 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.”

Zulum further stressed that environmental restoration remains a key pillar of his administration’s rebuilding and recovery agenda, emphasizing that ecological sustainability must go hand-in-hand with post-conflict reconstruction.

“As we reconstruct communities affected by conflict, we must equally restore the ecosystem that sustain the communities. Sustainable peace and sustainable development cannot flourish in a degraded environment,” he said.

The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to environmental sustainability under the Renewed Hope Agenda and praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her contributions to promoting a greener environment.

He also appreciated the Federal Ministry of Environment, its agencies and development partners for their continued support towards building a climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable Borno State and Nigeria.

Flagging off the National Tree Planting Campaign, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawan, who also served as the Special guest of honour, lauded Governor Zulum’s innovative approach to tackling deforestation by providing clean cooking alternatives alongside tree planting initiatives.

“I want to say here that this is the first time I have seen tree planting getting connected with alternatives. The Governor is giving you alternatives. He is giving out 5,000 clean cooking stoves to our teachers. That’s the starting point. 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.

“Today we are also launching the planting of 4 million seedlings that are being provided by various sectors to plant trees. And I have heard that more than 20 million trees have been planted in Borno State. So it is a very laudable achievement, and we will try to make other states take cues from what Borno State has been doing.”

The minister urged governments at all levels, schools, faith-based organisations, the private sector, youth groups, women and all Nigerians to embrace tree planting as a civic responsibility to safeguard the nation’s environment for future generations.