Biofuels Production in Nigeria: The Policy and Public Opinions

Abstract

In order to reduce the country’s over dependence on oil and gas economy and establish a strong link between the downstream petroleum industry and agricultural activities, the Nigerian government has recently indicated commitment to biofuels production from local feedstock. Emphasis was given to bioethanol and biodiesel with projected annual local market possibility of 5.04 billion and 900 million Liters respectively. The study reports an over view of the biofuels policy and a survey of the public opinions on the potential impacts of its implementation. A questionnaire containing six research questions, covering the key positive and negative impacts of commercial biofuels production was designed in line with the policy objectives. 200 samples were randomly distributed to people with good biofuels education across the country, within 90 days. The recovered questionnaires (PQR = 92.50 %) were treated statistically. Additional respondents’ comments were also captured and analysed. 97.30 % of the respondents expressed optimism in terms of positive impacts such as generation of revenue to the government, investments, jobs creation, energy access to rural areas and environmental sustainability. However, the remaining respondents with percentage cumulative response (PCR) of 2.7 % showed that negative consequences such as food price hike, soil degradation and diversion of food land would be the net result due to high level of corruption, poor technology and lack of transportation network. To achieve the policy objectives, appropriate planning is required. Research covering the views of all stake holders and lessons from prior countries like Brazil and India would be very important. Emphasis should be given to pre-exploited agricultural land and non-food crops that are adaptive to current and foreseeable climatic conditions in Nigeria.