The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has released a report revealing that a significant 67.8% of Nigerian households in nine states primarily use firewood for cooking. The report, titled “The 2024 Nigeria Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey (NREDSS),” highlights trends in energy use and the reliance on traditional cooking fuels.
The survey indicates that 41% of households reported purchasing fuel wood, while 39% cut or collected it themselves. Only 18.9% obtained it through other means, such as barter or gifts. Over half (55.3%) of the collected fuel wood consists of branches, stems, and trees.
Approximately 22% of households utilized charcoal during the survey period. Among those using charcoal, 21.6% purchased it, while only a minimal number (0.3% through production and 0.6% through other means) sourced it differently.
About 19.4% of households reported using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking, indicating that roughly one in every five households uses this cleaner energy source.
The findings underscore a continuing reliance on traditional cooking methods and fuels, despite efforts to promote cleaner alternatives like LPG. This reliance highlights the need for increased access to modern cooking fuels and potential energy policy reforms to enhance household energy choices in Nigeria.