Renewable Energy Policy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A Systematic Scoping Review

Abstract

The article examined renewable energy policy and sustainable development in Nigeria using a systematic scoping review. Information and materials were obtained from secondary sources such as journal articles, books, and other online resources, spanning quantitative, qualitative, and review studies, and covering the period from 2000 to 2025. Several search engines, including Google Scholar, RefSeek, and others, were used during the search process, and the information retrieved was subjected to content and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that renewable energy policy has both moderating and direct effects on the propensity of achieving sustainable development in Nigeria. As a moderating factor, it can influence the relationship between the renewable energy system—particularly in terms of demand and supply—and sustainable development. In terms of direct impact, it can contribute directly to the achievement of sustainable development in Nigeria. However, several challenges hinder the effective use of renewable energy policy. These include regulatory bottlenecks, inadequate application of policy to transform the renewable energy system, lack of supportive policies for the effective use of technology in the renewable energy sector, among others. These issues limit the potential of Nigeria’s renewable energy system to significantly contribute to national sustainable development. The article recommends that the government and policymakers integrate renewable energy into the overall energy policy, making it a core component of the national energy strategy rather than treating it as a separate entity.