ABSTRACT
Nigeria is a country rich in natural resources, yet a majority of its population lives on less than a dollar a day. The economic outlook for the country is still uncertain and challenging. However, it is increasingly becoming clear that a lack of access to modern energy services constitutes a critical roadblock to poverty alleviation and economic growth in Nigeria while a majority of Nigerians lives in energy poverty. Ninety-five million Nigerians rely on biomass in the form of wood, charcoal, dung, and crop residue, as their domestic cooking fuel in traditional cooking stoves and open fires (Christian Aid, 2011). The smoke emitted from these fuels is a leading cause of indoor air pollution. According to the World Health Organization, every year in Nigeria an estimated 95,000 persons die from exposure to stove smoke inside their homes and currently it is the third largest killer of women and children after malaria and HIV/AIDS. The country experiences the highest number of smoke related deaths in Africa. Other challenges directly linked to poverty and a lack of access to modern energy services include poor health conditions, degraded environments, water scarcity, and pollution. Poverty and the challenge of the Nigerian energy sector are inextricably linked.
