APPRAISAL OF THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS FOR ENERGY SECURITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper focused on the challenges of the legal and institutional framework for energy security in Nigeria while suggesting the way forward. The Modern world relies on a vast energy supply to fuel all economic activities such as transportation, communication, industrial processes, food production, education, security and health delivery systems. Oil is the main source of energy consumed in Nigeria and Nigeria is one of the leading energy giants in Africa due to its abundant natural resources such as crude oil, natural gas, lignite, bitumen, tar sands, hydroelectric power, and biomass. As a result, the country has been able to generate significant revenue from energy exports and the development of local industries. The energy situation in rural areas is particularly dire, with more than 70% of rural dwellers relying on fuel wood (firewood) as their primary source of energy. This has led to deforestation and desertification of the arid zone, as well as erosion in the southern zone, where firewood is used for both domestic and commercial purposes. The rate of deforestation in Nigeria is estimated to be almost 350,000 hectares per year, which is equivalent to 3.6% of the current area of forests and woodlands. The lack of access to electricity and petroleum products in rural areas exacerbates the problem, with the prices of petroleum products like kerosene and petrol often exceeding 200% of the official pump price in the country. In order to address the challenges of energy security, laws and institutions are enacted and established for the purpose. Finally, the way forward is that renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind and biomass technology should be developed so as to create maximum benefit at the grassroots level in both rural and urban settlements of Nigeria.