TECHNO-ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY OF HOUSEHOLD BIOGAS SYSTEMS IN RURAL NORTHERN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BOMO COMMUNITY, KADUNA STATE

Paul-Jazom, Felicia Friday, Ifeanyichukwu Edeh — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Biogas is frequently presented as a technically viable and economically attractive clean cooking alternative in rural sub-Saharan Africa. However, techno-economic assessments often overlook financial feasibility, substrate competition, and structural livestock management practices that condition long-term sustainability. This study evaluates the technical performance, economic viability, and financial feasibility of household-scale biogas systems in Bomo community, Sabon-Gari LGA, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Methane generation from cow dung and rice husk co-digestion was simulated using Aspen Plus v14 under thermophilic conditions (55 °C, 1 atm), while household energy demand modeling, cost–benefit analysis, affordability assessment, and regression modeling of adoption likelihood were conducted using primary field data. Simulation results indicate methane yield of 0.0623 kg CH₄/kg feedstock at 15 kg/day substrate input, sufficient to offset approximately 20 kg of weekly firewood consumption under controlled feedstock availability. Economic analysis reveals a positive Net Present Value (₦2,921,699) and Benefit–Cost Ratio of 3.29 over project lifespan, suggesting theoretical profitability. However, the initial capital cost (~₦391,500) exceeds three times the annual affordability threshold of most households (≤₦120,000), and 97 % of respondents express unwillingness to adopt loan financing. Moreover, open grazing systems, competition for cow dung as cooking fuel and fertilizer, and persistent energy stacking behaviors significantly undermine substrate reliability and sustained adoption. The study concludes that while biogas systems are technically feasible and economically viable, they are financially inaccessible and structurally constrained under prevailing rural conditions. Sustainable deployment, therefore requires institutional restructuring, livestock management reform, and capital subsidy mechanisms.

RADON IN GROUNDWATER OF IPERINDO, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA: SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION, MINING INFLUENCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS.

Asere Adeola Margaret — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study assessed dissolved ²²²Rn in groundwater and surface-water sources in Iperindo, Atakumosa East Local Government Area, Osun State—an artisanal gold‑mining area—to evaluate spatial patterns and potential health implications. A spatially distributed set of hand-dug wells, boreholes, and streams was sampled using airtight 750 mL bottles; radon was measured with a RAD7 detector coupled to the RAD H₂O aeration accessory and corrected for decay to the sampling time. Results show source‑dependent variability: wells (n=17) ranged 4.22–24.98 Bq·L⁻¹ (mean 13.48 Bq·L⁻¹, SD 6.19), boreholes (n=7) 9.20–18.85 Bq·L⁻¹ (mean 14.60 Bq·L⁻¹, SD 3.43), and streams (n=7) lower and less variable (mean ≈9.36 Bq·L⁻¹). The overall mean was 12.79 Bq·L⁻¹. Although all values are well below the WHO screening reference of 100 Bq·L⁻¹, several wells and boreholes exceed the U.S. EPA guideline of ~11 Bq·L⁻¹. One-way ANOVA and nonparametric considerations indicate source-related patterns consistent with hydrogeological controls, though limited sample sizes reduce statistical power. The study recommends targeted surveillance—prioritizing shallow wells—periodic indoor‑air monitoring where water is used indoors, and simple point‑of‑entry aeration for higher‑activity wells to minimize inhalation and ingestion risks.

International Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology

TECHNO-ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY OF HOUSEHOLD BIOGAS SYSTEMS IN RURAL NORTHERN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BOMO COMMUNITY, KADUNA STATE

RADON IN GROUNDWATER OF IPERINDO, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA: SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION, MINING INFLUENCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS.