Empirical Analysis of Household Demand for Energy in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Household energy demand has become a major policy issue in developing countries where rapid population growth, urbanization, and inadequate electricity supply continue to shape energy consumption patterns. This study examines the factors that determine household energy demand in the Kano metropolis by surveying 655 households using a probit regression model to understand household energy choices. It identifies monthly household income, energy price, price of energy substitutes, housewife education level, and government policy as statistically significant in influencing household energy demand at the 5% level. The energy ladder hypothesis and fuel stacking theory provide the theoretical framework for understanding a household’s energy choice. The review indicates that significant proportion of Nigerian households still rely on traditional biomass such as fuelwood and charcoal due to poverty, unreliable electricity supply and high prices of clean energy. The paper recommends increasing household minimum wage to reduce poverty, reviewing subsidy/tax policies to cushion the effect of energy crises, investing in national refineries and renewable energy to promote economic growth, investing in human capital development, and supporting research and innovation to improve electricity generation and facilitate Nigeria's transition toward sustainable household energy consumption