The global energy transition presents both tremendous opportunities and profound challenges. In Nigeria, the shift to cleaner energy is critical for meeting climate goals and addressing longstanding energy poverty and inequality issues.
However, special attention must be given to vulnerable populations to ensure that the benefits of this transition are equitably distributed. These include low-income communities, rural residents, women, youth, and people with disabilities who often bear the brunt of energy poverty and environmental degradation.
Here are key strategies to ensure that these vulnerable groups are not left behind but empowered through Nigeria’s energy transition.
1. Inclusive Policy Design and Implementation
Policies guiding Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy must be inclusive from inception to execution. Vulnerable populations should be consulted and actively involved in policymaking to ensure their unique needs and challenges are adequately addressed.
For example, the Nigerian Energy Transition Plan (ETP) should be localised with community-specific roadmaps that consider socioeconomic disparities. Incorporating gender and social inclusion (GESI) frameworks in policy design ensures that solutions are tailored for everyone, especially women, who are primary energy users in homes and informal sectors.
2. Expanding Access through Decentralised Renewable Energy Solutions
Many vulnerable Nigerians live in off-grid or poorly electrified areas where the national grid is nonexistent or unreliable. Decentralised renewable energy solutions such as mini-grids and solar home systems offer a sustainable and cost-effective pathway to electrify these communities.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) and development finance institutions (DFIs) can help scale these solutions. Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) projects should be expanded, with targeted subsidies to ensure affordability for the poorest households.
Moreover, local ownership models—such as energy cooperatives—can empower communities by giving them a stake in the energy assets serving them.
3. Affordable Financing Mechanisms
Affordability remains a significant barrier to vulnerable populations’ access to renewable energy. To address this, Nigeria must promote innovative financing models such as:
- Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) schemes that reduce upfront costs for solar energy systems
- Microfinance and cooperatives tailored to the energy needs of women, smallholder farmers, and informal workers
- Results-based financing (RBF) to incentivise companies to reach underserved communities
- Government-backed subsidies and tax exemptions on renewable energy products can also reduce costs and stimulate adoption.
4. Job Creation and Skills Development
A successful energy transition in Nigeria can catalyse large-scale green job creation, especially in solar installation, energy efficiency, battery manufacturing, and maintenance services. However, these opportunities must be accessible to vulnerable groups, particularly youth and women, who face high unemployment rates.
Vocational training programs in renewable energy should be prioritised and embedded in technical colleges and polytechnics. In addition, governments and private sector actors should create targeted employment quotas and internship programs for marginalised groups.
5. Strengthening Social Safety Nets
As Nigeria transitions from fossil fuels, some sectors—particularly those reliant on petrol and diesel—may face economic disruption. Vulnerable groups, including small-scale transport operators and informal sector workers, could be disproportionately affected.
To cushion these impacts, the government must bolster social safety nets such as cash transfer programs for displaced workers, reskilling initiatives for affected populations and community support schemes that provide transitional economic support.
Nigeria’s approach to minimising social and economic disruptions should be guided by a Just Transition framework similar to those adopted in countries like South Africa.
6. Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Programmes
Women in Nigeria play a pivotal role in energy use and management, particularly in cooking, heating, and informal enterprise. Yet, they often face systemic barriers to energy decision-making and entrepreneurship participation.
To address this, the government must develop energy programmes that incorporate gender-responsive strategies, such as:
- Providing targeted grants and loans for women-led clean energy businesses
- Involving women in energy governance structures
- Ensuring clean cooking technologies (e.g., LPG, improved cookstoves, biogas) are widely available and affordable.
7. Data-Driven Decision Making
Reliable and disaggregated data are crucial for effective planning. Yet, there is often a lack of data on energy access and needs for specific vulnerable populations in Nigeria. The government should invest in data collection and analysis that captures:
- Energy consumption patterns in informal settlements
- Barriers to access for people with disabilities
- Gender-specific energy use in rural areas
This data can inform targeted interventions and help track progress toward inclusive energy goals.
8. Partnerships with Civil Society and Community-Based Organisations
Local knowledge is essential in designing energy solutions that are culturally appropriate and accepted. Civil society organisations (CSOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) are well-positioned to facilitate community engagement, raise awareness, and implement pilot projects in hard-to-reach areas.
By partnering with these groups, government and donors can build trust, promote transparency, and scale successful initiatives. CSOs can also serve as watchdogs to ensure that energy projects benefit the marginalised.
9. Climate Resilience and Energy Security
Climate change impacts such as flooding, droughts, and food insecurity also disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. An equitable energy transition must integrate climate resilience by promoting technologies and systems that withstand environmental shocks.
For instance, off-grid solar systems with battery storage can provide critical energy during grid outages caused by extreme weather. Furthermore, energy access must be prioritised for essential services—such as hospitals, schools, and water supply systems—that support vulnerable populations.
10. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Accountability
Finally, robust mechanisms must be in place to monitor the impact of energy transition policies on vulnerable groups. Independent evaluations, public scorecards, and beneficiary feedback systems can ensure that programmes remain transparent and accountable.
Nigeria can build a more just and equitable energy future by setting clear inclusion targets and regularly reporting progress.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s energy transition represents a historic opportunity to build a cleaner, fairer, and more resilient society. However, this future will only be realised if the country takes deliberate steps to include its most vulnerable citizens in the process. Nigeria can ensure that no one is left behind in the journey to a sustainable energy future through inclusive policymaking, decentralised solutions, targeted financing, and a focus on equity.