Determinant Of Energy Poverty In Rafi Local Government Area Of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Energy access is the bedrock of any meaningful development, be it social or economic. Energy poverty is a phenomenon that is common to both developed and developing countries, especially Nigeria. Energy poverty like poverty comes in different dimension and scale. In Nigeria, energy poverty is more noticeable in the rural area than the urban centres. This study, therefore, examines energy access (EA) and its determinant in Rafi LGA of Niger State. Energy access was measured using a multi-tier approach to energy access measurement developed by Nicolina Angelou for Energy Sector Management Assistant Programme (ESMAP, 2014). Households, enterprise, and community institution forms the three (3) tiers of the community energy access levels, using graduated measurement rather than binary measurement. A total of 447 copies of questionnaires were administered. The data collected are analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Regression analysis was employed as an analytical tool to identify the determinants of energy poverty in the study area. The finding of the study shows that Rafi LGA is energy poor with an energy poverty index of 0.29. Number of years spent in school and average monthly income of household head is a major determinant of energy poverty in Rafi LGA, while age of household head, age of marriage, and household size contribute minimally to energy poverty in Rafi LGA. Improve education and livelihood developments were among the recommendation of the study.