Challenges and prospects of renewable energy in Nigeria: A case of bioethanol and biodiesel production

Achieving an affordable clean energy in accordance to the sustainable development goal (SDG 7) is a challenge in Nigeria and other nations in Africa. Most of the currently used energy strategies are either not sustainable or poorly maintained. Nigeria is a major exporter of fossil fuel but currently faced with serious energy crisis, which necessitates the search for a sustainable renewable form of energy as alternative to fossil fuel in order to meet the SDG 7. Biofuel has been identified as a sustainable form of renewable energy in Nigeria with sugarcane, cassava, plant seed and waste materials being possible feedstocks for bioethanol and biodiesel production. The feedstocks are predominantly available and accessible with the possibility of maximizing them to drive socio-economic growth. Use of waste materials and non-edible underutilized seed oil such as Jatropha curcas will help minimize the controversies associated with the use of food materials as feedstock for biofuel production in Nigeria and other nations in Africa. Furthermore, focus should be on developing the Nigerian waste management strategy, which has the potential of generating sufficient energy to drive the economy and serve as means of employment. It is also high time for Nigeria to develop its own technology to run biofuel production from its currently developed cassava and sugarcane industry. It might be necessary to create more awareness on the importance of biofuel as well as provide suitable business environment for local and international investors.