Renewable Energy in Nigeria: A Peep into Science, a Conclusion on Policy

Many scholars and other stakeholders trace environmental problems facing many oil-rich jurisdictions to the current fossil fuel energy regime that oil-dependent economies rely on. In a quest for ways to reduce environmental problems, an examination of the situation and prospects of renewable energy as a complement, and where possible an alternative, to fossil fuel in an oil-dependent jurisdiction such as Nigeria is necessary. The literature on renewable energy and related topics has not sufficiently answered questions on why renewable energy has failed to thrive despite the interests governments have shown in it. Nigeria's renewable energy sector can succeed only if stakeholders develop jurisdiction-specific policy frameworks addressing current renewable energy challenges. A peep into the scientific literature on renewable energy reveals facts and figures specific to different geographical zones in Nigeria, informing the right course of action for renewable energy policy and business in the country. Nigeria has commercially exploited hydropower and commenced exploiting solar energy, but has not exploited wind energy, bioenergy, and geothermal energy considerably despite their prospects across the geographical zones of the country. Nigeria should fill this gap by developing suitable jurisdiction-specific policy instruments and institutional frameworks.