67.8% of Nigerian Households Still Rely on Firewood

Firewood Dominates Nigerian Cooking

“More than half of the fuelwood cut/collected by households...”

Nigeria's energy landscape revealed: 67.8% of households rely on firewood, while 22% use charcoal and 19.4% use LPG, according to NBS survey.

Almost 70% of Nigerian households still rely on firewood for cooking and other activities, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This is based on the NBS's Nigeria Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey (NREDSS) 2024, which was unveiled in Abuja.

The survey covered nine states across the six geo-political zones, including Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ekiti, Oyo, Enugu, Kwara, Plateau, Kano, and Sokoto.

Firewood is the primary source of energy for various purposes, including domestic, agricultural, commercial, cultural, and religious activities. Interestingly, 41% of households purchase firewood, while 39% cut or collect it themselves. This highlights the significant dependence on traditional energy sources.

Nigeria's reliance on firewood has severe environmental and health implications. The World Health Organization estimates that smoke from traditional cooking methods leads to approximately 93,300 deaths annually in Nigeria. Additionally, deforestation contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, making it a significant climate concern.

The Nigerian government has pledged to increase access to clean energy, particularly liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), to reduce dependence on firewood. However, challenges persist, including affordability and infrastructure issues. Experts emphasize the need for a transition to cleaner energy sources to mitigate environmental and health risks.

“Meanwhile, 18.9 percent of households use other means such as barter, gift, borrowing, etc,” the report added.

“More than half of the fuelwood cut/collected by households, 55.3 percent, were branches, stems, and trees.”

Charcoal is another popular energy source for Nigerian households, with 22% utilizing it during the reference period, equivalent to one in every five households.

A breakdown of charcoal usage reveals that 21.6% of households purchased it, while a minimal 0.3% produced it themselves, and 0.6% acquired it through other means.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage trails behind, with 19.4% of households adopting this cleaner energy source during the reference period.

Here's a summary of the energy sources used by Nigerian households:

• Firewood: 67.8%
• Charcoal: 22%
• LPG: 19.4%

These statistics highlight Nigeria's ongoing reliance on traditional energy sources, underscoring the need for increased adoption of cleaner alternatives.

“This means that about one in every five households use LPG," the report noted.

“The average monthly expenditure on LPG stood at N10,239.7 across the surveyed states.”

More than half of households across nine states in Nigeria, 58% to be exact, are connected to the national grid, and a significant 86.6% had access to electricity during the reporting period. Breaking down the billing systems used by households connected to the grid, 85.2% rely on estimated billing, while 14.8% opt for pre-paid billing.

In terms of expenses, households shell out an average of N4,155.8 monthly for electricity. Considering the widespread use of firewood, the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics recommends promoting reforestation and clean energy alternatives like LPG, wind, and solar power. This move aims to mitigate the environmental impact of firewood usage.

Planting trees is vital in combating climate change, as they absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen through photosynthesis. Reforestation and afforestation efforts can increase carbon capture potential, particularly in tropical regions. However, their effectiveness varies by latitude, with mid-latitudes requiring more nuanced analysis due to complex cloud dynamics and vegetation interactions. By adopting cleaner energy sources and reforestation strategies, Nigeria can reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable development.

Findings:

Electricity Access: 58% of households connected to the national grid

Billing Systems:_l 85.2% estimated billing, 14.8% pre-paid billing

Average Monthly Expenditure: N4,155.8

Recommended Strategies: Reforestation, clean energy alternatives (LPG, wind, solar)

“This will help to reduce environmental problems such as air pollution, water pollution, climate change, thermal pollution, and solid waste disposal,” it said.

The report suggests that the government should incentivize the setup of more Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stations and promote local manufacturing of gas cylinders and related accessories to add value to the industry. This move aims to increase accessibility and affordability of LPG, a cleaner energy alternative, and reduce Nigeria's dependence on firewood and charcoal.

Establishing more LPG stations would not only provide a safer and more efficient energy source but also create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Local production of gas cylinders and accessories would also reduce reliance on imports, increase availability, and drive down costs.

Benefits of Encouraging LPG Stations and Local Production:

Increased Accessibility: More LPG stations would make cleaner energy more accessible to households and businesses.

Job Creation: Setting up LPG stations and manufacturing gas cylinders would generate employment opportunities.

Economic Growth: Local production would stimulate economic growth by reducing imports and increasing local investment.

Environmental Benefits: Reduced reliance on firewood and charcoal would help mitigate deforestation and climate change.

By implementing these recommendations, the government can promote a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly energy sector in Nigeria.

“This will help to lower the end-user's cost and optimise electricity generation by decentralising the national grid through mini-grids.”

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) conducted a comprehensive survey to understand household energy consumption patterns, electricity access, and residential appliance usage. The primary objectives of the Nigeria Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey (NREDSS) 2024 were:

• Assess household energy consumption
• Evaluate access to electricity
• Analyze residential appliances and usage

To achieve these objectives, the NBS surveyed 8,100 households across urban and rural areas in nine states, interviewing 900 households per state. This robust sample size provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the government to inform evidence-based decisions.

Survey Scope:

• 9 states across Nigeria's six geo-political zones
• 8,100 households (900 per state)
• Urban and rural areas covered
• Comprehensive data on household energy consumption, electricity access, and appliance usage

The survey's findings offer critical information for developing effective energy policies, improving electricity infrastructure, and promoting sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria.