The European Union (EU) and the Federal Government of Nigeria have launched the Nigeria Residential Sector Demand-Side Survey to assess the country’s energy needs. It was launched by the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, alongside other government officials in Abuja.
At least 5,400 households across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones will be surveyed in the exercise.
The survey aims to help the government formulate and implement functional energy policies by gathering accurate and comprehensive data on energy consumption and demand across the country. It aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and Nigeria’s broader aspirations, particularly the 8-point agenda of the current administration.
The survey is part of the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative and is conducted in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Federal Ministry of Power, the Energy Commission of Nigeria, and the National Bureau of Statistics.
The survey is expected to provide valuable insights into energy consumption and demand in rural and hard-to-reach areas, facilitating the development of policies to ensure unhindered access to energy for various purposes, including powering industries, fueling transportation, and providing lighting for homes.
During the launch, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, emphasized the commitment of the Nigerian government to providing reliable, uninterrupted, stable, and functional electricity to households, businesses, and industries.
The minister said the provision of reliable energy to the citizens remained the only way to realise the potential of the abundance of human and natural resources in the country.
Noting that Nigeria’s energy sector diagnosis had been concluded with the obstacles and hindrances identified, Adelabu assured that all the problems along the implementation lines would be crushed.
The minister noted that financing was one of the key issues, and stressed the need to adequately fund generation, transmission, and distribution, and ensure that all consumers are properly metered.
“This is the only way that we can actually guarantee liquidity into the sector. And these funds cannot be provided by the Federal Government alone. We need all levels of government from the federal to the states, and the local government, most especially the private sector investors, both locally and offshore,” he added.
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The EU Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, said the survey would contribute towards addressing Nigeria’s energy problems.
“The importance of this survey is to go out there, take a transparent stock of the situation, and inform the policymakers about the needs which everybody knows are enormous. This way, appropriate solutions can be found from its different location,” Vergos said.
