Energy Poverty and Life Expectancy in Nigeria

Nigeria has continued to experience a persistent energy crisis marked by limited access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy, which poses significant risks to public health and overall well-being. This study investigated the effect of energy poverty on life expectancy in Nigeria. Time series data for the period covering 1981 to 2023 was used. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) estimation technique, the study examined both the short-run and long-run impacts of energy poverty on life expectancy. The results revealed that energy poverty has a statistically significant and negative effect on life expectancy in both the short and long term, indicating that prolonged energy deprivation continues to undermine the health and longevity of the Nigerian population. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders prioritize energy sector reforms aimed at expanding access to modern energy services, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Investment in renewable energy, improvement of electricity infrastructure, and implementation of policies that promote energy affordability are critical. Such interventions are essential not only for enhancing energy security but also for improving public health outcomes and achieving sustainable development goals, particularly those related to health and energy.