An evaluation of rural electrification in Nigeria: A study of Ibogun community, Ogun state

Abstract

Rural electrification (RE) has not been effectively pursued especially due to huge financial implications in the RE infrastructure provision. Because of the privatisation of the electricity distribution in Nigeria and the compartmentalization of distributors to regional areas, it is expected that rural communities, which are composite part of the region, should be incorporated in the overall framework for RE. But since the deregulation of the electricity sector, little or no attempt has been made to evaluate the current situation of RE of many Nigerian communities. This study evaluated RE in Nigeria, however, using Ibogun community as its case study. This study adopted a cross-sectional survey approach. Multistage sampling technique was adopted to distribute 122 copies of questionnaire across 10 villages. Findings revealed that Ibogun community is a literate society dominated by the low-income class. 26% of its residents relied on the electricity service provider (ESP) for electricity supply whereas 69.7% received electricity supply from both ESP and alternatives, particularly power- enerating sets. Because of the inadequate electricity supply, about 46% of residents used power-generating set between 1 to 4 hours daily to augment shortage. Most residents received estimated electricity bills, which indicate electricity consumption in the community is not metered. 42.6% confirmed electricity infrastructure was in a poor state and 50% rated electricity supply as poor. About 70% of the residents were affected by poor electricity supply but the greatest negative impacts were imposed on residents’ businesses and communication. The major problem of electricity supply was the climate impacts on electricity infrastructure. Although residents perceive government role in electricity supply as marginal, nonetheless the residents considered as priority intervention, the upgrade of existing electricity facilities by the government. And to cope with various challenges of electricity supply and its associated impacts, Ibogun community has adopted self-help approaches toward improving electricity supply through the acquisition of electricity transformers and poles and execution of repairs of electricity transformers and poles when necessary. The inferential statistic (Spearman’s Rank Correlation) results indicated that there is no significant association between income and variables (source of electricity, alternative source of energy supply, and daily hourly usage of a power-generating set). The study makes recommendations towards solving the challenges of rural electrification.