Investigating the feasibility of utilising renewable energy sources in West African households – a case study of Nigeria

Pokubo, D, 2021. Investigating the feasibility of utilising renewable energy sources in West African households – a case study of Nigeria. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

Preview

Text Daminabo Pokubo Final Thesis Correct Version_3.pdf - Published version Download (6MB) | Preview

Abstract

Nigeria boasts a wealth of diverse energy resources capable of fostering sustainable development across its various sectors. Abundant energy resources such as crude oil, natural gas, coal, and renewable energy resources like solar, wind, and hydropower position Nigeria as a nation with immense potential in the rapidly expanding global energy sector. Despite this abundance, a substantial portion of Nigerian households, constituting 60% of the population, grapple with unreliable access to electricity and clean cooking fuels due to various challenges, including poorly managed grid infrastructure, vandalism, and disruptions in gas supply that contribute to these energy challenges. With a population exceeding 200 million, 60% of Nigerian households (160 million people) primarily depend on conventional energy resources to meet their energy needs, exacerbating climate change concerns. As global energy demand rises and environmental awareness intensifies, the imperative for West African countries like Nigeria to adoption toward renewable energy becomes increasingly evident, considering their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.

In response to these challenges, the Nigerian government is actively pursuing its Renewable Energy Master Plan to reduce household dependence on conventional energy resources and diversify the country’s energy mix. However, the adoption to renewable energy in Nigeria has encountered setbacks and is progressing at a slow pace. Therefore, this research investigates the feasibility of integrating renewable energy sources into the household energy mix in West Africa, focusing specifically on Nigerian households. Employing a concurrent mixed methods approach, the study assesses socio-economic, technological, and environmental factors influencing the adoption of renewable energy solutions in Nigeria. Surveys distributed across diverse households and interviews conducted with key policymakers collected both quantitative and qualitative data. The primary objectives of using both quantitative and qualitative methods are to identify the prevalent energy consumption patterns, assess the awareness and attitudes of households towards renewable energy technologies, and evaluate the economic viability of such adoption. The study also examines existing renewable energy policy frameworks, regulatory incentives, and potential barriers hindering widespread adoption in Nigerian households.

Findings reveal adoption barriers categorised under economic, policy, legal, technical, market, and household demographic factors. Despite a growing awareness of renewable energy benefits driven by concerns over energy security, rising utility costs, and environmental consciousness, challenges such as initial capital costs, limited financing access, and insufficient infrastructure hinder widespread adoption within households. The study highlights the role of government policies in shaping the renewable energy landscape and proposes recommendations to enhance frameworks for sustainable energy adoption.

This research significantly contributes to the discourse on renewable energy adoption in developing countries, providing a nuanced understanding of challenges and opportunities within the context of Nigerian households. The outcomes aim to inform policymakers, energy practitioners, and local communities on strategies for a more sustainable and resilient energy future in the region.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Pokubo, D.
Contributors:	Name Role NTU ID ORCID Al-Habaibeh, A. Thesis supervisor CPT3ALHABA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9867-6011 Souto Galvan, A. Thesis supervisor ADB3SOUTOA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0110-0137
Date:	2021
Rights:	Permission is granted to copy up to 5% of this work for private study or individual, non-commercial research. Any reuse of the content or information contained in this document must be appropriately referenced, citing the author, title, university, degree level, and pagination. For inquiries, requests for alternative uses, or if a more substantial reproduction is needed, please contact the owner of the intellectual property rights. The University is authorised to retain, lend, or copy this dissertation, either in whole or in part, with the condition that any such material utilisation is duly acknowledged.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Record created by:	Jeremy Silvester
Date Added:	19 Dec 2025 16:31
Last Modified:	19 Dec 2025 16:31
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/54908

Actions (login required)

Edit View

Statistics

Views

Downloads