Abstract
Nigeria, as a developing nation with vast fossil fuel resources, faces a unique challenge in aligning its economic growth aspirations with global climate goals. This paper examines the policy implementation and socio-economic potentials of Nigeria’s clean energy transition, focusing on the country’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP). While the ETP sets an ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, its implementation is fraught with challenges, including poor planning, weak institutional frameworks, and a heavy reliance on external funding. Data were sourced from Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) from the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Environment, and the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Civil Society Organizations, experts in the Renewable Energy Sector, and scholars from Nigerian universities—University of Uyo and University of Lagos, with a focus on energy policy, economics, and climate change. Participants were contacted via email and professional networks. The interviews were conducted virtually via video conferencing. All interviews were audio-recorded with the participants’ consent and transcribed verbatim for analysis. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts. The study finds that a successful transition hinges on overcoming these obstacles by prioritizing economic diversification, creating a supportive regulatory environment, and fostering public buy-in with a focus on unlocking significant socio-economic benefits, including job creation, enhanced energy access, improved public health, and greater energy security.
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