Investigation of Household Energy Consumption Patterns and Environmental Implications in Maiduguri, Borno State

This study investigates the energy consumption patterns of urban households in Maiduguri, Borno State, North East Nigeria, and examines their environmental implications in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, indoor air quality, and deforestation pressure. Maiduguri has experienced protracted humanitarian crisis linked to the Boko Haram insurgency, and the energy poverty this has reinforced has significant environmental management implications as households rely on firewood, charcoal, and kerosene as primary energy sources. A structured household energy survey was administered to 250 households across six residential wards representing varying income levels. Data collected include energy sources used for cooking, lighting, and water heating, monthly fuel expenditures, quantity estimates, and health complaints related to cooking smoke. Carbon emission factors were applied to fuel quantities to estimate household-level greenhouse gas contributions. Results show that 61 percent of surveyed households use firewood or charcoal as their primary cooking fuel, with kerosene and LPG used more frequently in higher-income wards. Grid electricity access is reported by 34 percent of households but used reliably by fewer than 15 percent due to service irregularity. Indoor carbon monoxide and particulate matter levels in wood-fuel-using households estimated from published emission factors indicate significant respiratory health risks. Annual wood fuel consumption across the surveyed population extrapolates to approximately 4,200 tonnes, creating local forest depletion pressure. The study recommends a subsidised LPG cylinder distribution programme in Maiduguri as a priority intervention. Keywords: household energy, biomass fuel, greenhouse gas, indoor air quality, Maiduguri.