By Victoria Ojeme

In a nation grappling with the dual challenges of waste management and energy scarcity, Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The solution to both these pressing issues may lie in a single, often overlooked technology: biogas. As the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria’s potential for biogas production is immense, yet largely untapped.

Now, industry leaders and renewable energy experts are calling on policymakers to embrace this technology, which could simultaneously address multiple national challenges and pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

Chuks Melville Chibundu, CEO of DoctorCare247 and a leading voice in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector, is spearheading efforts to promote biogas adoption in the country. “Biogas represents a unique opportunity for Nigeria,” Chibundu said. “We have an abundance of organic waste, from agricultural residues to municipal solid waste, that could be converted into clean, renewable energy. It’s time we start seeing our waste as a resource rather than a problem.”

This push for biogas adoption in Nigeria mirrors similar movements across Africa. In Mozambique, Nuno Vazir Ibrahimo, the Mozambique Network Office Director of the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council, is championing a parallel cause. “Biogas is a form of renewable energy that comes from waste,” Ibrahimo explains. “In Nigeria, we can utilize materials from municipal waste, organic waste, and even automotive waste. With the abundance of vehicles in Nigeria, we have a significant opportunity to transform this waste into biogas.”

The potential applications of biogas are diverse and far-reaching. From cooking fuel to power generation, biogas could help alleviate Nigeria’s chronic energy shortages. Moreover, the process yields a valuable byproduct: bio-fertilizer. In a country where agriculture remains a cornerstone of the economy, this could prove instrumental in boosting productivity at a lower cost, while also aiding in pest control.

“After producing biogas, we get a byproduct that can be used as fertilizer,” Ibrahimo points out. “This is very important for developing agriculture at a cheaper price. We can use this bio-fertilizer to control insects in agriculture.”

Proponents argue that the widespread adoption of biogas technology could address several pressing issues simultaneously. “If we use this technology, we can solve several problems,” Ibrahimo said. “We’re talking about improved waste management in municipalities, addressing health issues, creating jobs, and finding productive uses for waste that would otherwise be a burden.”

Nigeria’s waste management problem is well-documented. Major cities like Lagos generate an estimated 10,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, much of which ends up in overflowing landfills or polluting waterways. By converting this waste into biogas, Nigeria could not only reduce the environmental impact of improper waste disposal but also generate much-needed energy.

The energy potential is significant. According to a study by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigeria could potentially generate 25,000 megawatts of electricity from biogas. This would go a long way in addressing the country’s energy deficit, which has long been a barrier to economic development.

Job creation is another potential benefit. The biogas industry could create thousands of jobs across the value chain, from waste collection and sorting to plant operation and maintenance. In a country grappling with high unemployment rates, particularly among youth, this could provide a much-needed economic boost.

However, the key to unlocking this potential lies in the hands of policymakers. “It’s very important to introduce this concept to policymakers,” Ibrahimo stresses. “If politicians agree to adopt this technology, it could solve many problems for communities, society, and municipalities.”

Despite its promise, the primary obstacle to biogas adoption in Africa has been political inertia. “The main challenge in adopting biogas technology in Africa has been politics,” Ibrahimo notes. “We need to introduce this mindset to politicians. If they decide to implement this solution quickly, it could resolve many problems.”

According to Chibundu, “We need policies that incentivize biogas production and use. This could include feed-in tariffs for biogas-generated electricity, tax breaks for biogas plants, and mandates for waste-to-energy conversion in municipalities.”

The benefits of such policies could extend beyond Nigeria’s borders. As Chibundu points out, “This is a great opportunity for all of Africa, as we produce a lot of waste and often don’t have the means to collect it properly. This solution could resolve many issues, including unemployment.”

Contrary to assumptions about new technologies, biogas is both proven and affordable. “This solution is actually quite affordable,” Chibundu assures. “It’s an old solution that has been proven effective.”

Indeed, biogas technology has been successfully implemented in many countries around the world. In Germany, for example, there are over 9,000 biogas plants in operation, contributing significantly to the country’s renewable energy mix. In India, millions of small-scale biogas digesters provide cooking fuel for rural households.

The technology is scalable, ranging from small household digesters to large industrial plants. This flexibility makes it suitable for both rural and urban settings in Nigeria. “We can start small, with community-level biogas plants, and gradually scale up to larger facilities,” Chibundu suggests. “The important thing is to start somewhere.”

The environmental benefits of biogas adoption in Nigeria could be substantial. By diverting organic waste from landfills, biogas production could significantly reduce methane emissions. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is produced when organic matter decomposes in anaerobic conditions, such as in landfills.

Moreover, by providing a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, biogas could help Nigeria reduce its carbon footprint. This aligns with the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and could position Nigeria as a leader in renewable energy in Africa.

“Biogas is a win-win solution for Nigeria,” Chibundu argues. “It addresses our waste management issues, provides clean energy, creates jobs, and helps us meet our climate commitments. It’s hard to think of another technology that offers so many benefits.”

Despite its potential, the adoption of biogas technology in Nigeria faces several challenges. These include a lack of awareness, limited technical expertise, and inadequate infrastructure for waste collection and sorting.

To address these challenges, experts recommend a multi-pronged approach. “We need to invest in education and training programmes to build local capacity in biogas technology,” Chibundu said. “We also need to improve our waste management systems and create public awareness campaigns about the benefits of biogas.”

Financing is another crucial aspect. While biogas plants can be cost-effective in the long run, they require significant upfront investment. “We need to create innovative financing mechanisms to make biogas projects viable,” Ibrahimo added. “This could involve public-private partnerships, green bonds, and support from international climate finance initiatives.”

The path forward, according to experts, involves a three-pronged approach: political decision-making, community involvement, and the creation of an ecosystem that brings together politicians, communities, and green finance initiatives.

“Political will is crucial,” Ibrahimo emphasizes. “We need policymakers to recognize the potential of biogas and create an enabling environment for its adoption.”

Community involvement is equally important. “Biogas projects are most successful when communities are engaged from the start,” Chibundu notes. “They need to understand the benefits and be involved in the process, from waste segregation to plant operation.”

Also, creating a supportive ecosystem is important. This involves bringing together various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector companies, financial institutions, and community organizations. “We need to create a biogas value chain, from waste collection to energy distribution,” Ibrahimo explains. “This requires coordination and collaboration among different actors.”

As Nigeria looks to a more sustainable future, biogas presents an enticing opportunity. “We’re essentially turning waste into gold,” Ibrahimo said. “It’s a very suitable project for our context.”

The potential benefits of biogas adoption in Nigeria are clear: improved waste management, increased energy access, job creation, and environmental protection. What remains is for policymakers to recognize this potential and take decisive action.

“The time for biogas in Nigeria is now,” Chibundu said. “We have the resources, we have the need, and we have the technology. What we need now is the political will to make it happen.”