DOES EDUCATION EXPENDITURE STIMULATE ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN NIGERIA?

Expenditure on education significantly impacts energy consumption by enhancing economic growth and fostering energy management within the populace. Augmented investment in education fosters the advancement of energy consumption, which is vital for promoting sustained economic growth. Based on this, this study examines the effects of education expenditure on energy consumption in Nigeria. The data for the study were obtained from World Development Indicator (WDI, 2022) which covered from 1990-2022. The ARDL methods were employed to analyze the data. The findings show the continuity of energy consumption across time, with the second lag of energy consumption exhibiting a positive and statistically significant coefficient. This signifies that historical energy consumption positively influences present consumption, demonstrating a momentum effect. Conversely, (EC(−1)) ignites curiosity and encourages more investigation. The affirmative connection indicates that investments in higher education may result in elevated energy consumption, driven by economic activities and augmented energy demand from a more educated urban population. The study recommends that authorities should adopt a long-term perspective, prioritizing educational efforts that foster technical innovation and energy efficiency. Future enquiries should examine the impact of education on energy consumption, encompassing curriculum development and public awareness campaigns, to promote the transition to a sustainable energy future in Nigeria.