Abstract:
The estimated amount of renewable energy resources (such as hydropower, biomass, wind power, biogas, solar energy and geothermal power) in Nigeria is enormous and abundantly available. Consequently, the energy industry in Nigeria faces numerous challenges ranging from political, cultural and socio-economic problems etc., which hamper the full development and utilization of these resources for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. This paper reviews the prospects and challenges of integrating the mature and emerging renewable energy resources for poverty reduction and sustainable development in Nigeria and therefore calls for an improved energy conservation and development policy. This should be supported by effective implementation resulting in visible industrialization, employment creation, income generation even in the rural communities and drastic reduction of poverty in the country.
