Sustainable Rural-Based Energy Security in Katsina State, Nigeria: Challenges and Community Responses

This study examines the critical issue of energy poverty in rural sub-Saharan Africa, with a specific focus on Nigeria, a nation experiencing profound energy scarcity. The study meticulously examines the adaptive strategies employed by rural communities in Katsina State to achieve energy security. It aims to delineate the primary coping mechanisms utilized by households, ascertain the socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of these strategies, and assess their subsequent impact on household well-being. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrated data from structured questionnaires distributed to 384 households randomly selected from three Local Government Areas (Dutsi, Kankia and Danja), alongside semi-structured interviews with 20 key informants, including community leaders and energy business operators. The findings underscore the pervasive nature of energy poverty, with a substantial majority (82.1%) of respondents classified as energy-poor, experiencing limited electricity access (less than four hours daily for 67.7%), and predominantly relying on firewood for cooking (89.1%). Households have developed a range of coping mechanisms, such as fuel stacking (82.1%), consciously minimizing electricity usage (57.8%), exclusively employing rechargeable lighting (52.9%), and leveraging social networks for resource sharing (45.1%). Furthermore, the study highlights the considerable socio-economic and health implications associated with these community responses, including increased respiratory ailments (48.2%), negative effects on children’s education (56.5%), and reduced opportunities for productive activities (63.1%). The study concludes that rural households in Katsina State exhibit significant resilience and adaptive capabilities in the face of energy deprivation. Consequently, it advocates for focused policy interventions, such as promoting off-grid renewable energy initiatives, bolstering community energy cooperatives, and embedding energy access within comprehensive rural development frameworks.