Fuel Switching and Stacking Behaviour of Households in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria

Households in Nigeria often choose from the available energy commodities at their disposal based on its availability and affordability.The paper examined the expenditure pattern of household, investigated household energy consumption pattern, and access the determinant of fuel switching and stacking behaviour. These were with a view to examining thefuel stacking and switching behaviour of household and appraise the implications of energy pricing reform on switching and stacking behaviour in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. The study adopted both descriptive and analytical techniques. The results showed that the major determinants of switching and stacking behaviour arehousehold energy expenditure, accessibility of different energy choices and household energy prices. The study also showed that petroleum pricing reform is significant in explaining stacking and switching behaviour of households in Odo-Otin Local Goverment. The finding revealed that prior to the removal of subsidy on kerosene, majority of the households’ sampled used kerosene for cooking in urban areas while those in the rural areas mostly used fuel wood and charcoal. Thereafter, a partial switch in the pattern of domestic energy consumption was observed, with more households using charcoal and LPG in urban areas while those in rural areas mainly used fuel wood and other more polluting, less efficient, energy sources for cooking. The paper recommends a transition towards more environmental friendly energy sources for household usage.