Research on Climate Change Initiatives in Nigeria: Identifying Trends, Themes and Future Directions

Chukwuebuka C. Okafor (), Christian N. Madu, Adaobi V. Nwoye, Chinelo A. Nzekwe, Festus A. Otunomo and Charles C. Ajaero
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Chukwuebuka C. Okafor: Center of Excellence in Environmental Management and Green Energy, University of Nigeria, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
Christian N. Madu: Center of Excellence in Environmental Management and Green Energy, University of Nigeria, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
Adaobi V. Nwoye: Department of Continuing Education and Development Studies, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Enugu 402105, Nigeria
Chinelo A. Nzekwe: School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Field Campus, North Mall, T23 TK30 Cork, Ireland
Festus A. Otunomo: Department of Engineering, Nuclear Science and Engineering, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 11 Hoffman Street, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
Charles C. Ajaero: Center of Excellence in Environmental Management and Green Energy, University of Nigeria, Enugu 410001, Nigeria

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-36

Abstract: Nigeria is among the countries highly vulnerable to climate change impact. Thus, there has been growing emphasis on the pursuit of decarbonization and net-zero (net-zero transition) strategies. The aim of this work is to review major concepts in research publications associated with climate change mitigation in Nigeria. The literature search was conducted on the Scopus database using relevant keyword operators. Mixed methods were adopted to conduct bibliometric, text mining and content analysis. Bibliometric software (VOSviewer) was used. The research objectives were to identify how net-zero transition research has evolved in Nigeria; their important research themes and trends in Nigeria, and potential directions for future research on achieving them in Nigeria. The results show that the number of publications in the field has been increasing, with 87% of the articles included in the dataset published between 2016 and 2024. Through data clustering, eight clusters of articles were identified, namely (i) the renewable energy, economic growth and emission reduction nexus (ii) energy transition in the Nigerian power system, (iii) policy drivers (socio-technical and economic) for a cleaner energy system, (iv) energy transition governance, (v) hybrid renewable energy systems, (vi) low-carbon transition, (vii) energy efficiency and low-carbon growth and others. By checking through the keywords used by authors, it appears that the most popular keywords are carbon neutrality, hydrogen, biomass, circular economy, and electric vehicles. These keywords further highlight areas of research interests. Some of the potential future directions identified include the need for effective research communication and strong cooperation between academia and relevant CC policy-making bodies to translate scientific research into evidence-based policies and actionable frameworks; tiered subsidies or tax rebates to low-income households to promote CC mitigating technologies and align CC objectives with social equity; and others. Although this work focuses solely on Nigeria, the country shares similar characteristics with many sub-Saharan African countries, and some others in the global South. Accordingly, the findings will be relevant to those areas, with some unique adaptations.

Keywords: decarbonization; net-zero emissions; low-carbon development; carbon neutrality; renewable energy; energy transition; Nigeria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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