Research and Development Potentials in Biofuel Production in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is at present suffering from the worst energy crisis in her 48 years of existence as an independent nation. Even though there is a global crisis in the international oil market, Nigeria seems to suffer disproportionately from the negative impacts when compared to other oil producing nations. Although, Nigeria’s natural resource wealth (including renewable energy potentials) has been well documented and acknowledged, the contribution of renewable energy sources to the total national energy supply and demand is currently very low or negligible. There is a clear link between access to energy services and poverty reduction and hence development. Apart from its contribution to poverty reduction, it is the very diversity of biofuel that provides potential of a win-win development path for the environment, social and economic development, and energy security. It is in the light of this that this paper examines the research and development potentials in ethanol and biofuel in Nigeria.

Keywords: Biofuel; Energy; Oil; Poverty reduction; Development