MULTIDIMENSIONAL ENERGY POVERTY IN NIGERIA: A NATIONAL AND ZONAL LEVEL ANALYSIS

This paper analyzed multidimensional energy poverty in Nigeria at national and zonal levels using the 2009-10 National Living Standard Survey data. The study adopted the Nussbaumer, et al, (2011) methodology. National level results showed that 95 percent of Nigerians suffered energy poverty, deprived of 74 percent of the weighted indicators and had an MEPI of 70 percent. Energy poverty was found to be acute in all the zones excepting the South-west where it was moderate. Furthermore, the Southwest had the least share of energy poverty while the North-West contributed the most. In terms of sector, gender and occupation the South-south is the worst hit. It was concluded that energy poverty in Nigeria is both acute and pervasive. It was therefore recommended that local and state governments should embark on rural electrification projects and connect urban centers to the national grid. Available clean energy, like cooking gas should also be made available at affordable prices and in the rural areas