Journal of Harmonized Research in Engineering

PUBLIC PERCEPTION ON INTEGRATING NUCLEAR POWER IN NIGERIA?S ENERGY MIX

Abstract

Author(s): Olukolapo O. Akinmola, George N. Osaghae, Tajudeen O. Abdulazeez, H. Ahidjo

In twenty years, Nigeria’s population is expected to double and aggregate energy demand will triple (NEP, Draft Revised Edition 2013), Conventional energy sources alone will not meet the challenges of an increasing population at affordable costs and in a flexible manner. To meet the rapidly growing demand for energy, and the challenges posed by climate change. There has to be a conscious effort to consider other sources to be integrated into the energy mix to meet this energy demand. Nuclear energy is seen as one of the sources that have the capacity to meet this increasing demand ifeffectivelyintegrated into the nation’s energy mix. A survey was conductedto capture public opinions in the deployment of other energy options such as nuclear energy into the Nigeria energy mix. The result of the survey indicated a decline in support for nuclear energy as option in meeting Nigeria energy povertycompared to renewable energy which was most favoured by vast majority of the respondents. This is however attributable to the present security challenge in Nigeria and the fukushima accident which occurred 2011 in Japan. The opposition to nuclear power can be reversed if the peaceful applications, socio-economic and environmental case for its deployment is strong enough. This paper would help policy/decision makers in making proper decision as regards to nuclear power deployment and its review if barriers such as energy security, public’s opposition are adequately addressed.