Nigerians across nine states spent a total of N312.27 billion on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, according to a new report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday.
The 2024 Nigeria Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey provided an updated view of Nigeria’s energy consumption patterns, highlighting the reliance on LPG, firewood, charcoal, and other energy sources for cooking and heating.
The survey analysed energy consumption across 7,706 households in nine states, offering detailed insights into the use of LPG, firewood, electricity, and other forms of energy.
According to the report, the survey was conducted in Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ekiti, Enugu, Kano, Kwara, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto states, representing the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Data collection for the survey took place over a 17-day period, from 19th April to 5th May 2024, using a systematic sampling approach.
The report reveals that household data covers energy consumption and expenditure over the 30 days preceding the survey, providing a current snapshot of residential energy demand.
The survey shows that 19.4% of households reported using LPG in the last 30 days, with the average household expenditure on LPG recorded at N10,239.7.
Sokoto State had the highest average monthly expenditure at N12,439.3, followed by Enugu with N11,852.2.
The report stated, “The average monthly expenditure on LPG across the nine states in the 30 days prior to the survey date was N10,239.7. An analysis across the states indicates that Sokoto spent the highest amount with N12,439.3, followed by Enugu (N11,852.2), while Ekiti recorded the lowest expenditure (N8,213.5).”
However, states like Bauchi (0.8%) showed lower levels of adoption. Most households (39%) purchase LPG from vendors who operate on a cylinder-to-cylinder basis, followed by filling stations (34.2%) and stand-alone gas refilling plants (26.8%).
Despite the increasing use of LPG, the report also highlights that traditional fuels, such as firewood and charcoal, continue to dominate in many areas.
Firewood is widely used, with 67.8% of surveyed households reporting its usage for domestic, agricultural, and commercial purposes.
Households in states like Bauchi and Sokoto heavily rely on firewood, although only 1.7 % reported selling it.
The survey estimates that total annual spending on firewood is N608.72 billion, with the average household expenditure standing at N117,347 per year.
Charcoal is another significant energy source, with 22% of households using it primarily for cooking. However, charcoal production remains low, with only 0.3% of households involved in production, mainly in states like Kwara and Ekiti.
The report also highlights the state of electricity access. About 58.2% of households are connected to the national grid, with Ekiti leading the way with 79.7% grid access.
However, 85.2% of connected households are still subject to estimated billing, while only 14.8% use pre-paid metres.
Solar power systems are also becoming increasingly important, with 4.8% of households reporting access to solar home systems or mini-grids.
Additionally, 4.8% of households use diesel or petrol generators, with fuel purchases averaging 7.38 litres per month.
Most fuel purchases (86.7%) come from filling stations, reflecting the continued reliance on petrol-powered generators due to challenges in electricity supply.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, the Statistician General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, officially launched the 2024 Nigeria Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey.
He noted that the survey was a collaborative effort involving the NBS, the Federal Ministry of Power, the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the International Energy Agency, and the European Union. It examines household energy usage across nine states.
In his speech, Adeniran underscored the importance of the survey, stating, “Access to reliable and affordable energy is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of economic growth.”
He added that the survey offers crucial insights for policymakers and energy sector operators as Nigeria grapples with increasing demand, access challenges, and affordability concerns.