NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY

A Policy that provides the strategic framework for sustainable energy development in Nigeria, covering petroleum, coal, nuclear, renewables, and energy efficiency. It targets energy producers, marketers, regulators, consumers, private investors, and rural communities to promote access and environmental considerations.

What Is This Policy?

The National Energy Policy (NEP) is Nigeria's overarching framework for sustainable energy development — providing the strategic direction for all energy sources, consumption, capacity development, financing, and environmental considerations. It covers petroleum, coal, nuclear, renewables, bioenergy, electricity, and energy efficiency across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Who Does It Target?

All energy sector actors — producers, marketers, regulators, distributors, and consumers Private sector investors and international energy companies Rural communities requiring expanded energy access Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) with energy mandates Women and vulnerable groups requiring gender-responsive rural energy solutions

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Provide clean, affordable, adequate, and reliable energy to all Nigerians with active private sector participation Achieve Nigeria's 30:30:30 electricity vision — 30 GW of electricity supply capacity with 30% from renewable energy by 2030 Guarantee increased energy contribution to national income and promote efficient, cost-effective energy consumption Reduce energy poverty, improve rural energy access, and promote gender-sensitive energy development Align Nigeria's energy sector with the Paris Agreement, Nigeria's NDCs, and net zero by 2060 commitment

Key Features

13-Chapter Framework: Comprehensive structure covering petroleum, coal, tar sands, nuclear, renewables, bioenergy, electricity, energy efficiency, environment, financing, R&D, capacity, and international cooperation Private Sector Leadership: Emphasises active private sector participation and liberalisation across all sub-sectors Renewable Energy Targets: RE share of national energy mix targets: 1.3% (2015), 8% (2020), 16% (2030) Energy Efficiency Drive: 40% efficient lighting in households by 2020; distribution losses target below 10% by 2030 Petroleum Industry Integration: Aligned with PIA 2021, incorporating the full restructuring of upstream, midstream, and downstream governance Rural Energy Mandate: Promotes gender sensitivity and special attention to rural energy needs across all policy chapters

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — 2022 edition is the most recent revision, incorporating updates from the PIA 2021 and climate commitments Implementing Body: Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) as the statutory coordinator; Ministry of Power, NERC, NMDPRA, and NUPRC as sector regulators Coverage: National across all energy sub-sectors and all 36 states Funding: Federal appropriations, private sector investment, international climate finance, and multilateral development partner support

How to Access

The NEP provides strategic direction for energy sector actors rather than direct citizen applications. Stakeholders engage as follows: Investors: Engage with ECN, Ministry of Power, and relevant regulators for sector-specific licences, PPAs, and incentive frameworks Researchers: Access the full NEP document at energy.gov.ng for policy positions and targets across all energy sub-sectors State Governments: Work with ECN's zonal offices to align state energy plans with the national policy framework Portal: energy.gov.ng | ecn.gov.ng

Impact & Metrics

Nigeria's electricity generation capacity reached over 13,000 MW installed (with challenges in available capacity) Four refineries with 445,000 barrels/day installed capacity; sector undergoing major liberalisation under PIA 2021 Target: 30 GW generation capacity with 30% renewable energy share by 2030

Official Resources

Website: energy.gov.ng | ecn.gov.ng Policy Document: energy.gov.ng/Energy_Policies_Plan/APPROVED_REVISED_NEP_2022.pdf Contact: Energy Commission of Nigeria, Plot 701C, Central Business District, Abuja | +234 (0) 9 523 7657 Summary prepared using the Policy Summary Template | Source: ECN, NEP 2022 (energy.gov.ng), Petroleum Industry Act 2021 | February 2026

Legal Framework

The National Energy Policy operates under the Energy Commission of Nigeria Act, which mandates the Commission to develop and coordinate energy policies. It aligns with the Electricity Act 2023, the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy, Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement (UNFCCC), and the African Energy Commission (AFREC) guidelines on national energy policy design.