SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN A DEVELOPING ECONOMY: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

This research work delves into critical analysis of sustainable energy development in a developing economy, using Nigerian experience as a case study. Nigeria is a country that is blessed with abundance resources: both human and natural resources that ordinarily would have acted as a catalyst to launch the country to higher pedestal in terms of economy development but bad leadership, negligence of planning or bad planning coupled with corruptions in the governance have make this a Herculean task. The wealth of money derived from oil and gas could have been used to develop sustainable energy in the country, but those factors listed have rendered energy development a pipe dream. A country’s economy, either developed or developing, can only sustain its economic growth if energy is accorded a premium place in the scheme of things. No wonder, subsequent governments in Nigeria have continued to struggle with energy development in the country. The aim and objective of the project work is to highlight other available sources of energy that Nigeria can tap into to develop her energy in a sustainable way so as to bring progress to the nation according to United Nation Commission on Environment and Development definition of Sustainable Development: “as meeting the needs of this generation without compromising the needs of future generation”. Therefore, Sustainable Energy Development would eventually serve as the engine room for development: wealth creation, poverty reduction, job creations and booming of the economy that would ultimately have the chains effect of increasing the quality of life of the citizens. To support the project work: hypotheses were formulated and tested; useful recommendations were advanced that would lead to overall improvement in energy production and consumption in the country.