A latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has indicated that about 85.2 percent of the over 58 percent of households connected to electricity national grid across nine states in the country use estimated billing system.
This is despite the ongoing campaign by the federal government to discourage the use of estimated billing system in the power sector,
The NBS said out of this number, only 14.8 percent are using a pre-paid billing system.
This was contained in the Nigeria Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey (NREDSS), 2024 Report just released by the Bureau.
The Survey was conducted to have a comprehensive understanding of energy consumption patterns among Nigerian households using nine states as pilot.
According to the report, the average monthly expenditure of households on electricity was estimated at ₦4,155.8 during the reference period.
It revealed that 19.4 percent of households reported using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) during the reference period. This means that about one in every five households use LPG, noting the average monthly expenditure on LPG was at N10,239.7 across the surveyed states.
The report further disclosed that about 41 percent of households purchased fuel wood, closely followed by cutting/collection (39.0 percent), and only 18.9 percent of households used other means such as barter, gift, borrowing etc.
It said, out of more than half of the fuel wood cut/collected by households, 55.3 percent were branches, stems, and trees, adding that an estimated 67.8 percent of households used the fuewood either for domestic, agricultural, commercial, cultural, or religious purposes.
The survey also found that one in every five households (22.0 percent) used charcoal during the reference period.
Among households using charcoal, according to the report, 21.6 percent purchased the product, and only 0.3 and 0.6 percent acquired it through their own production, and other means respectively.
Commenting on the report, the Statistician General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, NBS, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, said the insights gained from the survey would inform nation’s policymaking and planning efforts.
According to him, the data would be used to: Improve energy distribution by identifying areas that require increased investment in electricity infrastructure.
It would also be used to promote energy efficiency by developing programs and incentives to encourage the adoption of energy-saving technologies.
He said, the data would be used to expand renewable energy by exploring opportunities for renewable energy generation and integration into the grid.
It would also be used to address energy poverty by designing targeted interventions to ensure that all Nigerians have access to affordable and reliable energy.
Prince Adeniran thanked the management and staff of the ECN, FMP, IEA, and EU who understood the crucial collaborative exercise that produced the report.
“Your determination, commitment, and sense of partnership toward ensuring the successful completion of this assignment are indeed worthy of commendation,” Prince Adeniran said.
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