An Overview of Renewable Energy Development in Nigeria over the Years:
Challenges and Control Measures

Nigeria is one of the most populated countries in the world and the largest in Africa. With a population of about 200 million, the nation is enriched with diverse renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. Despite this vast energy potential, only about 50% of her population has access to electricity. In this study, current perspectives on solar energy utilization as a renewable energy option in Nigeria are examined and discussed from the standpoint of sustainable development. The country, being a world crude oil and natural gas producer, is overdependent on the seen energy sources for electricity generation and other energy applications. This has currently put the country at risk of impending energy crises given the fast-diminishing fossil reserves, inadequate refining capacity to meet domestic consumption, and severe energy insecurity in restive regions where exploitations exist. Despite the vast fossil-based energy reserves, an insufficient electricity production capacity at 4517.6MW as of December 2012 is generated to support the economy of a teeming population of approximately 200 million people. Nigeria is naturally endowed with an abundant deposit of renewable energy resources, of which solar energy from the Sun (beingtheworld0s most abundant and permanent energy source) has for decades been enjoying very high-level utilization by rural dwellers for agricultural processing in the country. The possible motivations for extensively developing solar energy conversion systems in Nigeria are also discussed, and some barriers and challenges are presented. Finally, steps and policy measures to overcome the challenges and facilitate the utilization of this resource are suggested.