Africa's energy crisis is a significant obstacle to economic growth and poverty reduction. Nigeria, where a staggering 60-70% of the population lacks access to electricity, is a prime example. To tackle this challenge, we need to rethink our energy strategy. This review explores innovative policy solutions that can drive sustainable development in Nigeria. The research explores diversifying energy sources, embracing new technologies, and improving energy efficiency measures for low-income households. The work also examines the potential of renewable energy targets and targeted interventions that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Nigeria can create a sustainable energy future by harnessing renewable resources, promoting energy efficiency, and implementing conservation measures across various sectors. The goal is to provide actionable insights and recommendations for policymakers, stakeholders, and future research, ultimately bridging the energy access gap and fostering sustainable development in Nigeria

Sobajo, Moses Sodiq

English

Traektoria Nauki

Path of Science. 2024. Vol. 10. No 8   ISSN 2413-9009 Section “Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction”    6056 Advancing Nigeria's Energy and Environmental Policy: The Urgency For Sustainable and Renewable Energy Solutions  Moses Sodiq Sobajo 1  1 De Montfort University The Gateway House, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 9BH, United Kingdom  DOI: 10.22178/pos.107-41  LCC Subject Category: T1-995  Received 25.07.2024 Accepted 28.08.2024 Published online 31.08.2024  Corresponding Author: Mosessobajo@gmail.com  © 2024 The Authors. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License   Abstract. Africa's energy crisis is a significant obstacle to economic growth and poverty reduction. Nigeria, where a staggering 60-70% of the population lacks access to electricity, is a prime example. To tackle this challenge, we need to rethink our energy strategy. This review explores innovative policy solutions that can drive sustainable development in Nigeria. The research explores diversifying energy sources, embracing new technologies, and improving energy efficiency measures for low-income households. The work also examines the potential of renewable energy targets and targeted interventions that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Nigeria can create a sustainable energy future by harnessing renewable resources, promoting energy efficiency, and implementing conservation measures across various sectors. The goal is to provide actionable insights and recommendations for policy-makers, stakeholders, and future research, ultimately bridging the ener-gy access gap and fostering sustainable development in Nigeria. Keywords: Sustainable development; Renewable energy; Energy efficiency; Energy conservation; Greenhouse gas emissions.   INTRODUCTION Worldwide, there are over 860 million people without access to power. Sub-Saharan Africa ac-counts for 600 million. Over the last century, ex-tensive research has focused on the synergies between energy and development. Research has found that inclusive growth is not possible with-out modern energy. Global energy demand is in-creasing; in 2035, worldwide energy consump-tion is projected to double. Consequently, there have been significant concerns about how to meet demand sustainably [1]. Currently, Nigeria has an electricity problem. The Nigerian "energy supply crisis" is the continuing failure of the Nigerian government and power sector to provide an adequate electricity supply to urban and rural communities. This is reflected in Nigeria's low overall electrification rate of 56.5% [1]. Access to modern energy services is a fundamen-tal human right for socioeconomic development and poverty eradication [2]. However, the Afri-can continent, particularly Nigeria, faces signifi-cant energy access challenges, with approximate-ly 60-70% of the population lacking access to elec-tricity [3]. This energy poverty has far-reaching consequences, including hindered economic growth, reduced productivity, and increased health risks [4]. Despite its abundant fossil fuels, the country's energy sector is plagued by inade-quate electricity supply, over-reliance on oil and gas exports, and severe environmental degrada-tion [5]. However, the global shift towards sustainable energy presents an opportunity for Nigeria to reform its energy strategy and align it with global best practices [2]. By transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and waste-to-energy, Nigeria can enhance its energy security, mitigate environmental impacts, and drive economic growth [4]. Nigeria's energy cri-sis is further complicated by its reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation [5]. The Nigerian government has set renewable energy targets to mitigate these issues, reduce dependence on fos-sil fuels, and promote sustainable development [6]. In addition, Nigeria's energy sector faces signifi-cant environmental and health impacts, including Path of Science. 2024. Vol. 10. No 8   ISSN 2413-9009 Section “Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction”    6057 air pollution, water pollution, and displacement of communities [7]. The country's reliance on fossil fuels also contributes to climate change, severely affecting agriculture, water resources, and hu-man health [8]. A comprehensive approach is needed to address these challenges, incorporat-ing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation measures. This review examines the energy policy interven-tions necessary to address Nigeria's energy chal-lenges, focusing on renewable energy, energy ef-ficiency, and conservation measures. This review aims to inform policy decisions and promote sus-tainable energy development in Nigeria by ex-ploring successful case studies and best practices.  RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Nigeria's energy landscape is characterized by a complex interplay of traditional fossil fuels, re-newable energy initiatives, and infrastructural challenges. This analysis highlights critical as-pects of Nigeria's energy sector, including its reli-ance on fossil fuels, energy access issues, and re-cent developments in renewable energy. Nigeria's energy sector relies heavily on fossil fuels, particularly oil and natural gas. According to [9], oil and gas account for most of Nigeria's energy consumption and export revenues, with the oil sector contributing significantly to the na-tional economy. The country's oil reserves are substantial, making it one of Africa's largest crude oil producers. However, this dependency has led to several challenges, including environmental degradation and volatility in global oil prices [10]. Despite being a major oil producer, Nigeria faces significant energy access and infrastructure chal-lenges. A study [11] notes that most of Nigeria's population lacks reliable electricity access. The country's power sector suffers from inefficiencies and inadequate infrastructure, which hampers economic development and affects quality of life. The electricity supply is often unstable, with fre-quent outages and a high dependence on diesel generators. In recent years, Nigeria has made strides in di-versifying its energy sources by investing in re-newable energy. The Nigerian government has introduced various policies and frameworks to support the growth of renewable energy. For in-stance, the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) aims to increase the share of renewables in the national energy mix [12]. Due to Nigeria's high solar irradiance, solar energy has emerged as an up-and-coming sector. Research [13] high-lights that solar power can significantly contrib-ute to bridging the energy gap and promoting rural electrification. The regulatory framework governing Nigeria's energy sector has seen reforms to improve effi-ciency and attract investment. The Nigerian Elec-tricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) oversees the electricity market and implements policies [14]. However, challenges remain regarding poli-cy enforcement and creating a conducive envi-ronment for private sector participation [15].  Exploring Renewable Energy Potentials in Nigeria With its abundant natural resources, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to benefit from various forms of renewable energy. As the country seeks to diversify its energy mix and address persistent energy access issues, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and biomass present promising opportunities. Solar power is one of Nigeria's most promising renewable resources (Figure 1).  Figure 1 – Solar Energy  The country's high levels of solar irradiance, av-eraging between 5.5 and 6.0 kilowatt-hours per square meter per day, create ideal conditions for solar energy production [13]. The Nigerian gov-ernment has recognized this potential, launching initiatives like the Solar Power Naija project to promote solar installations and enhance energy access in underserved regions [12]. Solar ener-gy's ability to provide off-grid power solutions is precious for rural communities. While less developed than solar energy, wind en-ergy also holds potential for Nigeria (Figure 2). Path of Science. 2024. Vol. 10. No 8   ISSN 2413-9009 Section “Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction”    6058  Figure 2 – Wind Turbines  Certain regions, primarily north and along the coast, experience favourable wind conditions that could be harnessed for power generation. Research [16] suggests that wind speeds in these areas sufficiently support wind turbines. Howev-er, the development of wind energy infrastruc-ture is still in its early stages, and further invest-ment and research are needed to realize this po-tential fully. Hydropower has long been a part of Nigeria's en-ergy landscape, but its potential remains un-tapped.   Figure 3 - Hydro Energy  The Niger and Benue rivers offer significant op-portunities for hydroelectric power generation. Authors [17] estimate Nigeria could generate over 10,000 megawatts from hydro sources. However, current production levels fall short of this poten-tial due to outdated infrastructure and insuffi-cient investment. Expanding hydroelectric capac-ity could provide the country with a reliable and renewable energy source. Biomass energy presents another viable option for Nigeria, especially given the country's agricul-tural base and abundant organic waste (Fig-ure 4).   Figure 4 – Biomass Energy  Agricultural residues and other biomass materi-als can be converted into energy through tech-nologies like biogas digesters and biomass bri-quettes. Authors [18] highlight that harnessing biomass energy could address energy and waste management challenges, particularly in rural ar-eas where traditional energy access is limited.  Policy and Investment in Nigeria's Renewable Energy Sector Nigeria's journey toward a sustainable energy future involves significant policy frameworks and investment efforts designed to tap into the country's abundant renewable energy resources. Here's a closer look at how Nigeria is navigating this transition. One of the cornerstone policies in Nigeria's re-newable energy strategy is the Renewable Ener-gy Master Plan (REMP). Launched by the Federal Ministry of Power, REMP provides a clear framework for increasing the role of renewable energy in the national grid. It sets ambitious tar-gets for integrating solar, wind, hydro, and bio-mass energies into Nigeria's energy mix [14]. This plan is crucial for directing efforts and re-sources towards building a more sustainable en-ergy infrastructure. Complementing REMP is the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), which outlines spe-cific actions to achieve renewable energy goals. NREAP focuses on implementing policies that ensure that renewable energy projects are effec-Path of Science. 2024. Vol. 10. No 8   ISSN 2413-9009 Section “Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction”    6059 tively integrated into the national grid and ad-dress barriers to deploying renewable energy [12]. It also emphasizes the need for comprehen-sive planning and coordination to maximize the benefits of renewable energy investments. Nigeria has adopted the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) poli-cy to encourage private investment in renewable energy. This policy guarantees a fixed payment rate for energy produced from renewable sources like solar, wind, and biomass. By provid-ing a stable financial return for investors, the FiT policy aims to reduce the financial risks associat-ed with renewable energy projects and make them more attractive [11]. This is a significant step towards creating a conducive environment for private sector involvement. Nigeria's power sector reforms, initiated by the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005, have shaped the renewable energy landscape. These reforms involved unbundling the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) into separate enti-ties for generation, transmission, and distribu-tion. They also led to the establishment of the Ni-gerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to oversee the sector [14]. These changes aim to improve market efficiency and transpar-ency, essential for fostering a competitive envi-ronment for renewable energy. For Nigeria to fully realize its renewable energy potential, attracting private sector investment is crucial. The government is working on creating an investment-friendly environment through vari-ous incentives such as tax breaks, grants, and sub-sidies. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are al-so encouraged to leverage private capital for large-scale renewable projects. Despite these efforts, challenges like regulatory uncertainty and inadequate infrastructure still need to be ad-dressed to enhance investor confidence [13]. International support plays a vital role in advanc-ing Nigeria's renewable energy sector. Organiza-tions like the World Bank and the African Devel-opment Bank provide funding, technical assis-tance, and capacity-building programs. These col-laborations help Nigeria access cutting-edge technologies and best practices for successfully deploying renewable energy projects [10]. Developing local expertise is another important aspect of Nigeria's renewable energy strategy. Training programs and partnerships with educa-tional institutions are designed to build a skilled workforce capable of supporting the renewable energy sector. By investing in education and training, Nigeria aims to ensure that it has the human resources necessary for the long-term success of renewable energy initiatives [18].  CONCLUSIONS Looking at Nigeria's renewable energy landscape, it's evident that the country is on a transforma-tive journey towards a more sustainable energy future. The government has laid out ambitious plans through policies like the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) and the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP). These initiatives provide a clear direction for integrating renewa-ble sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and bio-mass into the national energy mix. The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) policy is a significant step in encouraging private investment by offer-ing guaranteed payments for renewable energy. This policy helps attract necessary funding and provides a stable financial environment for in-vestors, which is crucial for scaling up renewable projects. However, the road ahead is not without its hur-dles. Challenges such as regulatory uncertainties, infrastructure limitations, and the need for fur-ther investment are natural obstacles that need addressing. Overcoming these will require con-tinuous effort from both the government and private sector. Strengthening regulatory frame-works, investing in infrastructure, and fostering international partnerships are essential steps. Moreover, building local expertise through edu-cation and training will be vital to sustaining growth in the renewable energy sector. By devel-oping a skilled workforce, Nigeria can ensure it has the talent to drive innovation and maintain momentum in the renewable energy space. In conclusion, while Nigeria's renewable energy sector faces challenges, the groundwork laid by current policies and investment strategies pro-vides a strong foundation for future progress. With ongoing commitment and adaptive strate-gies, Nigeria has the potential to lead in renewa-ble energy, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy future for the country.   Path of Science. 2024. Vol. 10. No 8   ISSN 2413-9009 Section “Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction”    6060 REFERENCES 1. Eweka, E. E., Lopez-Arroyo, E., Medupin, C. O., Oladipo, A., & Campos, L. C. (2022). Energy Landscape and Renewable Energy Resources in Nigeria: A Review. Energies, 15(15), 5514. doi: 10.3390/en15155514 2. International Energy Agency. (2020). World Energy Outlook 2020. 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Advancing Nigeria's Energy and Environmental Policy: The Urgency for Sustainable and Renewable Energy Solutions

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