Nigeria’s energy crisis has persisted for decades, undermining economic growth, industrial development, and social welfare despite the nation’s vast energy resources. This paper critically examines the causes, socio-economic effects, and climate-related implications of Nigeria’s ongoing energy challenges. It identifies key structural constraints - including inadequate generation capacity, poor transmission infrastructure, inefficient distribution networks, unstable gas supply, and weak policy governance. The study also highlights socio-economic consequences such as reduced productivity, unemployment, inequality, and loss of public confidence in the power sector. Furthermore, it discusses environmental degradation and greenhouse emissions resulting from heavy reliance on fossil fuels and generator usage. The paper argues that the crisis stems largely from institutional inefficiencies, financial instability, and policy inconsistency. To address these issues, it proposes comprehensive strategies focusing on renewable energy expansion, infrastructure modernization, cost-reflective tariffs, and decentralized power solutions. Strengthening energy governance, promoting investment, and prioritizing clean energy development are emphasized as vital steps toward a resilient, inclusive, and climate-conscious energy future. Ultimately, resolving the energy crisis is not merely a technical challenge but a national imperative - essential for achieving sustainable economic transformation and environmental stability in Nigeria.
| Published in | International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science (Volume 11, Issue 5) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.ijees.20261105.12 |
| Page(s) | 134-140 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Energy Crisis, Electricity Reform, Renewable Energy, Climate Change, Nigeria, Sustainable Development
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APA Style
Sunday, O. L. (2026). Energy Crisis in Nigeria: Causes, Impacts, and Pathways to Sustainable Reform. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science, 11(5), 134-140. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20261105.12
ACS Style
Sunday, O. L. Energy Crisis in Nigeria: Causes, Impacts, and Pathways to Sustainable Reform. Int. J. Energy Environ. Sci. 2026, 11(5), 134-140. doi: 10.11648/j.ijees.20261105.12
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Download@article{10.11648/j.ijees.20261105.12,
author = {Oliver Linus Sunday},
title = {Energy Crisis in Nigeria: Causes, Impacts, and Pathways to Sustainable Reform},
journal = {International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science},
volume = {11},
number = {5},
pages = {134-140},
doi = {10.11648/j.ijees.20261105.12},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20261105.12},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijees.20261105.12},
abstract = {Nigeria’s energy crisis has persisted for decades, undermining economic growth, industrial development, and social welfare despite the nation’s vast energy resources. This paper critically examines the causes, socio-economic effects, and climate-related implications of Nigeria’s ongoing energy challenges. It identifies key structural constraints - including inadequate generation capacity, poor transmission infrastructure, inefficient distribution networks, unstable gas supply, and weak policy governance. The study also highlights socio-economic consequences such as reduced productivity, unemployment, inequality, and loss of public confidence in the power sector. Furthermore, it discusses environmental degradation and greenhouse emissions resulting from heavy reliance on fossil fuels and generator usage. The paper argues that the crisis stems largely from institutional inefficiencies, financial instability, and policy inconsistency. To address these issues, it proposes comprehensive strategies focusing on renewable energy expansion, infrastructure modernization, cost-reflective tariffs, and decentralized power solutions. Strengthening energy governance, promoting investment, and prioritizing clean energy development are emphasized as vital steps toward a resilient, inclusive, and climate-conscious energy future. Ultimately, resolving the energy crisis is not merely a technical challenge but a national imperative - essential for achieving sustainable economic transformation and environmental stability in Nigeria.},
year = {2026}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - Energy Crisis in Nigeria: Causes, Impacts, and Pathways to Sustainable Reform AU - Oliver Linus Sunday Y1 - 2026/10/28 PY - 2026 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20261105.12 DO - 10.11648/j.ijees.20261105.12 T2 - International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science JF - International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science JO - International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science SP - 134 EP - 140 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2578-9546 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijees.20261105.12 AB - Nigeria’s energy crisis has persisted for decades, undermining economic growth, industrial development, and social welfare despite the nation’s vast energy resources. This paper critically examines the causes, socio-economic effects, and climate-related implications of Nigeria’s ongoing energy challenges. It identifies key structural constraints - including inadequate generation capacity, poor transmission infrastructure, inefficient distribution networks, unstable gas supply, and weak policy governance. The study also highlights socio-economic consequences such as reduced productivity, unemployment, inequality, and loss of public confidence in the power sector. Furthermore, it discusses environmental degradation and greenhouse emissions resulting from heavy reliance on fossil fuels and generator usage. The paper argues that the crisis stems largely from institutional inefficiencies, financial instability, and policy inconsistency. To address these issues, it proposes comprehensive strategies focusing on renewable energy expansion, infrastructure modernization, cost-reflective tariffs, and decentralized power solutions. Strengthening energy governance, promoting investment, and prioritizing clean energy development are emphasized as vital steps toward a resilient, inclusive, and climate-conscious energy future. Ultimately, resolving the energy crisis is not merely a technical challenge but a national imperative - essential for achieving sustainable economic transformation and environmental stability in Nigeria. VL - 11 IS - 5 ER -
Independent Researcher, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria;Royal Salt Industries Limited, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
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