Accordingly, Green Energy is any form of energy from solar, geophysical or biological sources that is generated by natural processes at a rate that equals or exceeds its rate of use (Al-Juboor, 2015). It thrives on technologies that have minimal environmental impacts, such as less intrusive hydro’s and certain biomass combustion (Ministry of Power, 2015).

Largely, Green Economy comprises the basic four sectors of clean energy which are; renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geothermal); green building and energy efficiency technology; energy-efficient infrastructure and transportation; and recycling and waste-to-energy (Chapple, 2008). For José Ocampo (n.d.), it is a promise of a new economic growth dimension that is friendly to the earth’s ecosystems and can also contribute to poverty alleviation.

Overview of Nigeria’s Greening Drive

Either energy poverty or climate change or both of them have been the bane of the socioeconomic and environmental viability of Nigeria. In spite of having thriving economic drivers like Agriculture, Transportation, Telecommunications, Manufacturing, Wetlands, Energy, and Oil and Gas, CarbonBrief (2020) reveals that Nigeria’s proven over-independence on its oil and gas sector, which contributes a whopping 86% of the country’s export revenue precedes significant environmental degradation from oil exploration which have not only undermined the potential of the energy sector but also hindered the country’s overall development.

Perhaps, the earliest actions taken in pursuit of a coherent renewable energy programme in Nigeria, dates back to the establishment of the National Centre for Energy Research and Development (NCERD) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Sokoto Energy Research Centre (SERC) at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, in 1982 and ’83 respectively. In a joint effort with other tertiary and research institutions, they have championed the development of a number of solar thermal, biomass and biogas devices and improved woodstoves technologies that are ready for commercial production and adoption into the national economy (Energy Commission of Nigeria, 2014). 

Further to the above, Nigeria’s quest for a new energy portfolio focusing on the exploration of underutilised resources that would not only fuel economic growth but assure a secure and stable economy (Musa, 2024) is linked to the 1992 Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the 2002 World Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the Rio +20 of June 2012 (Energy Commission of Nigeria, 2014) (Federal Government of Nigeria, 2012).

As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, and in participating in the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), Nigeria affirmed a commitment to achieve net-zero by 2060. The launch of the Energy Transition Plan (ETP) of August 2022, designed to abate energy poverty and climate change crisis, would be a commendable first step (Akpata et al, n.d.).

Unfortunately, by the close of 2022, Nigeria produced little over 9,200 gigawatt hours of energy from hydropower whilst solar power generation totalled 151 gigawatt hours (Sasu, 2024), and by the close of 2023, over 140 million people do not have access to energy in Nigeria, which include clean cooking facilities, and modern fuels (World Economic Forum, 2023). This underscores the need to implement additional complementary actions necessary to realising a resilient and prosperous green economy.

Barriers to a Sustainable Green Nigeria

Among the barriers to the attainment of a sustainable green economy in Nigeria is the difficulty in disentangling the distinctive effects of green policies. It appears that there has been no structural break in the level of carbon dioxide emissions (Musolesi and Mazzanti, 2014) even after developing over 15 different policy frameworks related to a sustainable energy transition, including the National Energy Masterplan. For Dioha (2022), these policy frameworks sometimes consider parallel goals.

Olanipekun and Adelakun (2020) submit that the initial starting cost for green energy expansion compared to other conventional energy sources in Nigeria is expensive, such that it may not result in a simultaneous victory on both economic and environmental levels (Al-Taai, 2021).

Additionally, a none identification of appropriate technology for production of distinct energy carrier have been identified by Emodi and Ebele (2016), which follows after a non-availability of adequate indigenous manpower in the design, construction, installation, and maintenance of alternative energy systems (Olanipekun and Adelakun, 2020), amongst others.

Enablers of a Resilient and Prosperous Green Economy for Nigeria

In so far, whilst Al-Taai (2021) proposes reviewing government policies and redesigning them to stimulate shifts in green energy production, consumption and investment patterns, Dioha (2022) suggests that relevant institutions collaborate to harmonise these policies, identify key roadblocks and work with international development partners to remove them (Bouchene et al, 2021).

Since income is a key factor for the adoption of clean cooking facilities, and given that over 40% of Nigerians live in poverty, low-carbon energy solutions for low-income households is recommended, especially in rural and semi-urban areas (Dioha, 2022). Not only that, the ability to strategically combine the abundance of science and technology-related skills with multidisciplinary skills available to drive green growth and development is necessary (Chuku and Ajayi, 2022).

Interestingly, advanced technology innovation are outstandingly strong enablers. Nigeria should invest in dual-use infrastructure such as pipelines and distribution that can also be used for green hydrogen or synthetic fuels (Siemens Energy, 2020), practice advanced analytics and other fit-for-purpose tools (Dupoux et al., 2021), work with grassroot administrators and entrepreneurs to create supporting mechanisms and value chains, and sponsor and develop financial instruments targeted at green projects (Bouchene et al, 2021).

Conclusion

Where Nigeria in line with other developing countries compare poorly with the industrialised countries in green prosperity and the fight against climate change, a well-documented low level of socio-economic nuances would be held responsible. The few action points provided in this essay are not exhaustive but would broaden the pathways for the realisation of Nigeria's green growth which have been created already. Overall, achieving a resilient and prosperous green economy for Nigeria would thrive on advanced technology and innovation, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, policy harmonisation and commitment to policy targets; and the opposite of which would be a dream unlived.

References

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