[01] Onochie Uche Paul, National Centre for Energy and Environment, Energy Commission of Nigeria, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. [02] Obanor Albert, National Centre for Energy and Environment, Energy Commission of Nigeria, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. [03] Aliu Sufianu Adeiza, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

Electricity is the prime mover that drives the economic development of every country and any nation that desires to develop will ignore the power sector to its peril. Any nation whose energy need is epileptic in supply, prolongs her development and risks losing potential investors. The greatest engineering challenge in Nigeria today is the issue of the provision of steady, adequate, affordable and efficient electricity supply. This paper presents the electricity supply situation and challenges in Nigeria and suggests the effective utilisation of available fossil fuels and renewable energy resources as the way forward to ending the electricity crisis in Nigeria.

Nigeria, Electricity Crisis, Renewable Energy, Energy Policy

[01] Onochie U.P, Egware H.O, Eyakwanor T.O (2015): The Nigeria Electric Power Sector (Opportunities and Challenges). Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST). Vol. 2 Issue 4, April – 2015. [02] Obanor A.I (2015): An Intergrated and Pragmatic Approach to the Power Challenges in Nigeria. A lecture delivered at the 1st Public Lecture/Award Ceremony organized by Nigeria Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) in Benin City, Edo State Nigeria. [03] Aliyu, A., Ramli, A., Saleh, M. (2013). Nigeria electricity crisis: Power generation capacity expansion and environmental ramifications. Energy, 61(8), 354-367. [04] Niger Power Review (1985): “Development of Electricity Industry in Nigeria (1960-1985) “, 1985, pp. 1-6. [05] Manafa N. (1995): “Electricity Development in Nigeria”, Rasheen Publisher, Lagos, 1995, pp. 37-51. [06] Niger Power Review (1989): “Development of Electricity Industry in Nigeria (1960-1989) “1989, pp. 10-15. [07] Okoro O. I. and Madueme, T.C “(2004): “Solar Energy Investments in a Developing Economy”, Renewable Energy, vol. 29, 2004, pp. 1599-1610. [08] Okoye J.K (2007): “Background Study on Water and Energy Issues in Nigeria” The National Consultative Conference on Dams and Development, 2007. [09] Nnaji B (2011): Power sector outlook in Nigeria: Challenges, Constraints and Opportunities. [10] Victor and Ismail, (2013): On the Issues, Challenges and Prospects of Electrical Power Sector in Nigeria. [11] International Energy Agency (IEA) (2009): Country Energy Balance, (2009). [12] The Guardian Nigeria Newspaper (2015). [13] Kachikwu E. I (2015): NNPC GMD to end oil theft in 8 months, to use drones to monitor oil vessels: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015. [14] Onochie U. P, Itoje H. J, Egware H. O (2015): The Nigeria Renewable Energy Resources and Potentials: A paper presentation at the 5^th annual and international conference on Renewable & Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria (RAESON) in conjunction with Gregory University, from 17^th-20^th June, 2015 in Uturu, Abia State. [15] Lukman, Rilwanu (2003): Energy Commission of Nigeria “National Energy Policy” Federal Republic of Nigeria. 2003. [16] Julia K, Nick H, Kyle M, Allison R (2008): The Energy Crisis of Nigeria. An Overview and Implications for the Future. The University of Chicago. [17] Sambo A. S (2009): The place of Renewable Energy in the Nigerian Energy Sector Presented at the World Future Council Workshop on Renewable Energy Policies, 10th October, 2009, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [18] Mahapatra, S.; Chanakya, H.N.; Dasappa, S. (2009): Evaluation of various energy devices for domestic lighting in India: Technology, economics and CO2 emissions, In: Energy for Sustainable Development 13. Pages 271-279. [19] ESMAP (2007). Technical and Economic Assessment of Off-grid, Mini-grid and Grid Electrification Technologies. ESMAP Technical Paper 121/07. Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), World Bank Washington, DC. [20] IBEP, (2006), Introducing the International Bioenergy Platform, Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations, Rome, on line at: http://esa.un.org/un- energy/pdf/FAO%20Bioenergy%20platform.pdf. [21] Obioh I. and Fagbenle R.O. (2009). Energy Systems: Vulnerability Adaptation Resilience (VAR). Hello International. [22] Agba A.M., Ushie M.E., Abam F.I., Agba M.S., Okoro J. (2010). Developing the Biofuel Industry for Effective Rural Transformation. European Journal of Scientific Research, Vol. 40 No. 3, pp 441-449. [23] Oladipo D. (2010). The State of Nigeria’s Forest. IITA Research to Nourish Africa. [24] Okafor E.N.C. and Joe-Uzuegbu (2010). Challenges to development of renewable energy for electricity power sector in Nigeria. International journal of academic research, 2:2 211-216.