AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF BIOMASS ENERGY IN NIGERIA: OPPORTUNITIES, CONSTRAINTS AND POLICY INTERVENTIONS

Abstract

Nigeria’s growing population and expanding economy have intensified the demand for reliable, sustainable and diversified energy sources. This study offers a critical analysis of biomass energy as a viable alternative to conventional energy systems, examining its prospects, inherent challenges, and the policy interventions necessary for its successful integration into Nigeria’s energy landscape. With an estimated potential to generate 7.5 million cubic meters of bioethanol annually—of which 62% could be sourced from agricultural residues—and over 71% of municipal solid waste being combustible, Nigeria possesses abundant biomass resources with significant energy value. However, the sector is constrained by financial limitations, infrastructural deficits, poor policy implementation, low public awareness, and insufficient governmental support. Despite these barriers, biomass energy presents numerous opportunities, including renewable power generation, rural electrification, sustainable waste management, job creation, climate change mitigation, and improved public health through better indoor air quality. This study emphasizes the importance of strategic policy formulation, international cooperation, development of biomass databases, and infrastructural investment as pathways toward overcoming existing challenges. The findings advocate for a coordinated national framework that fosters innovation and positions biomass energy as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s transition to a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable energy future.