Determinant of Household Accessibility to Alternative Sources of Electricity Supply in Nigeria: A Case Study of Ekiti State

Abstract

Regular supply of electricity especially is an important factor influencing human capital development as well as elongating life expectancy in a developing country like Nigeria. However, the perennial problems of epileptic supply of electricity to various household in Nigeria have made all these benefits in a mirage. To this end, this research was conducted to investigate the determinant of household accessibility to alternative sources of electricity supply in Nigeria using Ekiti State as a case study. The study examined the households across the 16 local the 16 local government area which was randomly selected with use of a questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by using both descriptive and multivariate analysis. Results from the study showed that income and necessity are prominent factors that determine the choice of Alternative Sources of Electricity Supply (ASES) by households in the study population. This was further confirmed by the outcome of the logistic regression which depicts that four (i.e. social class, jobs, supply of electricity by the BEDC and income level of the households) out of the predictors exhibited a significant influence on the decisions of household regarding ASES respectively. The study also discovered that the low level of income as well as lack of proper awareness of the existence of some of the ASES was major factors that limit the accessibility of the various types of ASES. Evidence, from the study showed that there is the need for the government to embark on community-based solar electricity project this will have far reaching positive effect on the provision of a stable electricity supply which will enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of the households in Ekiti State. Finally, the study recommends the need for the government to embark on an awareness program across the state to sensitize the households on the various forms of ASES available and their use. This will improve household's accessibility to ASES and improve the socio-economic life of the households.