Energy resource structure and on-going sustainable development policy in Nigeria: A review

Nigeria is rich in both conventional and renewable energy resources that empower the country with a large capacity to develop an effective national energy policy. The study aims at reviewing the current energy resource structure of Nigeria in terms of production and utilization, comparing sectoral performance and reviewing issues confronting energy growth, sustainability, policies and frameworks towards the actualization of energy efficiency. The total energy consumption in 2011 was 28.8 million tons of oil equivalent about 5.4 % of the world value in 2010. Nigeria share of world CO2 emissions in 2011 was 0.32 % and a drop of 0.02 % in 2010. In addressing the country's challenges of energy demand, production, consumption and related environmental problems, the government has initiated sustainable and effective energy conservation strategies to improve efficiency. These include: reduction of energy consumption at the household sector, reduction of gas flaring, adoption and maximum renewable energy technologies, reduction of energy intensity in industries by appropriate energy conservation and management system. In addition, the policies also include the development and integration of alternative energy resources such as nuclear, biomass, wind and solar into the total energy mix structure. For all these to be accomplished, the energy development strategy must follow a sustainable framework to balance economic growth, social expansion and eco-friendly protection. © 2014 The Author(s).