Title: Electricity utilisation and firm efficiency in Nigeria: evidence from data envelopment analysis

Authors: Ambrose Nnaemeka Omeje; Augustine Jideofor Mba; Michael Okike Ugwu

Addresses: Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Abstract: Electricity consumption is a major factor that influence economic activities of firms. Epileptic electricity supply can reduce the ease of doing business for firms by raising production costs if they switch to alternative electricity supply. This study utilised Nigeria Enterprise Survey (2014) data and data envelopment analysis to find out if utilisation of electricity supply makes firms in Nigeria more efficient compared to when they utilise alternative electricity. It was found that electricity utilisation does not encourage firms in Nigeria to increase their efficiency levels under CRS due to the fact that there exist epileptic/erratic national grid electricity supply accompanied with low voltage whenever the supply is available. The study recommends that Nigerian government and its various agencies in power/electricity sector should strive more to provide constant electricity supply to the people and the firms, to encourage more economic productions that would spur economic growth and development of the country.

Keywords: electricity utilisation; electricity consumption; firm efficiency; data envelopment analysis; DEA; Nigeria Enterprise Survey Data; Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCIS.2022.125812

International Journal of Critical Infrastructures, 2022 Vol.18 No.3, pp.240 - 266

Received: 17 Mar 2021
Accepted: 28 Jun 2021
Published online: 29 Sep 2022 *

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