Spatial analysis of domestic energy deprivation in Minna, Nigeria

• Significant challenges to access modern energy in Minna, Niger state, despite being the power state of the country, result in households’ use of ‘unclean fuels’ for domestic purposes. • The consequent need to measure energy poverty levels of Minna metropolis is among the research problems in the study area. • Measuring domestic energy poverty and developing domestic energy surface maps facilitated the analysis of spatial variation in energy stress. • Inter alia, that energy poverty interventions based on MEPI and composite index analysis should be directed more towards the New Maitumbi neighbourhood as a worst case. Inaccessibility to modern energy in Minna, Niger state, despite being the power state of the country, results in households’ use of ‘unclean fuels’ for domestic purposes, and the consequent need to measure energy poverty levels of Minna metropolis is among the research problems in the study area. The study analysed domestic energy poverty with a view to determining energy-deprived areas for possible intervention and alleviation in Minna. Measuring domestic energy poverty and developing domestic energy surface maps facilitated the analysis of spatial variation in energy stress. The concepts of energy access and poverty were reviewed to facilitate the study. The research employed the multi-stage sampling methods in the determination of sampling units, where Nussbaumer et al. (2012) Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) was adopted and adapted to determine the energy poverty situation of Minna households. The study used Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Altair 5X Multigas detector to measure carbon monoxide concentration levels as an indicator of energy poverty in the study area. The study revealed, among others, that New Maitumbi is the most deprived neighbourhood, resulting from both MEPI (0.83) and composite indices analysis score (4). The research concludes inter alia that energy poverty interventions based on MEPI and composite index analysis should be directed more towards the New Maitumbi neighbourhood as a worst case. It recommends that energy consumers should be enlightened in improving energy practices and indulging in environment-friendly practices that facilitate carbon monoxide pollution reduction.