This report provides a holistic information of significant biogas projects in Nigeria up to the year 2024, highlighting their impact on the country’s renewable energy landscape. The projects showcase the potential of biogas as a sustainable and clean energy source for Nigeria’s future.
Biogas is a renewable energy source produced from organic waste materials, primarily consisting of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). It can be harnessed for electricity generation, heating, and cooking, offering a clean and sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources.
BIOGAS PROJECTS IN NIGERIA
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Biogas Plant
FUNAAB established a biogas plant in 2014, utilizing agricultural waste as feedstock. The plant serves as a research and training center for students and researchers interested in biogas technology and its potential applications.
Oyo State Biogas Project
Oyo State Government initiated Oyo State Biogas Plant project in 2015 to promote biogas as a clean and sustainable energy source for agriculture and domestic use. The project includes the construction of biogas plants using animal waste and agricultural residues as feedstock, benefiting local farmers and communities.
Kaduna State Biogas Project
In 2017, the Kaduna State Government launched the Kaduna State Biogas Project to promote the use of biogas for cooking and heating in rural areas. The project involves the construction of biogas plants, using animal waste as feedstock, to provide clean cooking fuel for local communities.
Niger Delta Biogas Project
The Niger Delta Biogas Project, initiated in 2018, aims to reduce flaring gas in the Niger Delta region by capturing methane emissions from oil and gas production. The captured gas is then used for power generation, providing electricity to nearby communities and reducing the environmental impact of gas flaring.
Lagos State Biogas Project
The Lagos State Government initiated a biogas project in 2018, aiming to produce biogas from waste generated in the state’s markets and industrial zones. This project includes the construction of biogas plants and the conversion of existing waste management facilities to biogas production sites.
Osun State Biogas Project
In 2019, the Osun State Government embarked on a biogas project to address the state’s energy and waste management challenges. The project involves the construction of biogas plants that use agricultural and domestic waste as feedstock, producing biogas for cooking, heating, and electricity generation.
Gurara-Keffi Biogas Project
This project, launched in 2019, is a public-private partnership between the Nigerian government and private sector companies. It focuses on the development of biogas infrastructure in rural areas, using agricultural waste as a feedstock for biogas production. The project aims to provide clean cooking fuel and improve the livelihoods of local communities.
UNIDO-Nigeria Biogas Project
In collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Nigeria launched the UNIDO-Nigeria Biogas Project in 2020. The project focuses on the development and promotion of biogas technology in the agricultural, industrial, and residential sectors, aiming to improve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Cross River State Biogas Project
This project, launched in 2020, focuses on the development of biogas infrastructure in rural areas of Cross River State. The project aims to provide clean cooking fuel, reduce deforestation, and support the local economy by creating jobs in the biogas sector.
INSTITUTIONAL BIOGAS PROJECTS IN NIGERIA
The Nigerian Biogas Partnership Program (NBPP)
The GIZ-Nigeria, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), launched the Nigerian Biogas Partnership Program (NBPP) in 2017. The NBPP aims to promote biogas as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy source in Nigeria, specifically targeting small-scale biogas plants in rural areas.
The Biogas for Smallholder Farmers Project
The Biogas for Smallholder Farmers Project was implemented by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) as
- sustainable renewable energy solution by installing biogas plants in various institutions across the country.
- Some of the key projects under the NBPP include:
The FUTA Biogas Project at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
The FUTA Biogas Project was initiated in 2017 and it involved the installation of a 150 KW biogas plant using animal, agricultural, and food processing waste. The plant not only provides clean energy to the university but also promotes waste management and environmental sustainability.
The Nasarawa State Biogas Project
The Nasarawa State Government, in collaboration with GIZ-Nigeria, launched a biogas project in 2019. This project aims to provide clean cooking and heating energy solutions to rural communities using locally available waste materials.
The UNIDO Biogas Project
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has been working on several biogas projects in Nigeria since 2018. One of the key projects is the installation of biogas plants in selected Nigerian prisons. These plants not only provide clean energy for cooking and heating but also help in waste management and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Livestock and Fisheries Biogas Program of the World Bank
The World Bank, in collaboration with the Nigerian government and other stakeholders, launched the Livestock and Fisheries Biogas Program in 2018. This program aims to promote the adoption of biogas as a clean and sustainable energy source in Nigeria by providing technical and financial support in select dairy farms across the country. These projects aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote waste management, and provide a sustainable energy source for local communities.
Some of the notable UNIDO biogas projects in Nigeria include:
The FrieslandCampina Dairy Farm Biogas Project
In 2021, FrieslandCampina, a leading dairy company in Nigeria, partnered with UNIDO to install a 500 KW biogas plant at their dairy farm in Kaduna State. The project utilizes waste from the farm’s cattle and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
The Blue River Dairy Farm Biogas Project
In 2024, Blue River Dairy Farm, another leading dairy company in Nigeria, initiated a biogas project in collaboration with UNIDO. The project involves the installation of a 500 KW biogas plant at their dairy farm in Ogun State, using animal waste and agricultural residues as feedstock.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) Biogas Project
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has been involved in several biogas projects in Nigeria since 2018, focusing on the development of private sector biogas plants using animal waste, agricultural residues, and municipal solid waste. Some of the key IFC biogas projects in Nigeria include:
The Ondo State Biogas Project
In 2021, the IFC partnered with the Ondo State Government to develop a Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has been actively supporting biogas projects in Nigeria since 2019. The IFC aims to encourage private sector investment in biogas technology and promote sustainable energy solutions. Some of the notable IFC biogas projects in Nigeria include:
The Integrated Dairy Farm Biogas Project
In 2022, the IFC partnered with a leading Nigerian dairy farm to develop a 1MW biogas plant. The project utilizes animal waste and agricultural residues as feedstock, providing clean energy to the farm and surrounding communities while promoting waste management and environmental sustainability.
The Nigeria Biogas Financing Facility (NBFF)
In 2024, the IFC launched the Nigeria Biogas Financing Facility (NBFF), a $15 million initiative aimed at promoting private sector investment in biogas projects across the country. The NBFF provides debt financing, technical assistance, and capacity building to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to implement biogas projects in the agriculture, waste management, and energy sectors.
ABBATOIR BIOGAS PLANTS IN NIGERIA
Nigeria has several functional abattoir biogas plants that utilize waste from livestock processing and contribute to sustainable energy production. One such notable project is the Abattoir Biogas Plant at the National Livestock Transformation and Commercialization Development Project (NLTCP) in Kaduna State. This project, inaugurated in 2020, is a collaborative effort between the Nigerian government and the European Union (EU).
The Abattoir Biogas Plant at the NLTCP in Kaduna State is a 500 KW facility that processes waste generated from the abattoir, including animal manure, blood, and offal. This waste is converted into biogas, which is then used to generate electricity and heat for the abattoir’s operations. The plant also produces biofertilizer, which is processed and used to improve soil fertility in the surrounding agricultural areas.
The success of the Abattoir Biogas Plant at the NLTCP has led to increased interest in similar projects across Nigeria. Various state governments and private sector companies are exploring the potential of abattoir biogas plants to address environmental challenges, promote sustainable energy production, and enhance waste management.
The year 2024 marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s transition to renewable ENERGY due to increase in prices of petroleum products like petrol, diesel, Kerosene and Liquidfied Natural Gas used for cooking. This has led to biogas emerging as a promising alternative to conventional energy sources.
BIOGAS PRODUCTION AND GROWTH IN NIGERIA
Increased Investment in Biogas Infrastructure
In 2024, the Nigerian government, along with private sector partners, invested heavily in the development of biogas infrastructure, including waste treatment plants and biogas production facilities. This investment resulted in a significant increase in biogas production capacity and a reduction in the reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation.
Expansion of Biogas Utilization
The year 2024 witnessed a rapid expansion in the utilization of biogas across various sectors, including agriculture, industry, and residential applications in Nigeria. Biogas-fueled cooking stoves and heating systems became more widely available, promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
CHALLENGES OF BIOGAS SECTOR IN NIGERIA
Limited Awareness and Access to Technology
Despite the benefits of biogas, limited awareness about its potential and the lack of access to appropriate technology continued to hinder its widespread adoption in Nigeria. The year 2024 saw efforts to raise awareness and improve access to biogas technology, but further initiatives are needed to overcome these challenges.
Financial Constraints and Limited Funding
Biogas projects require significant upfront investment for infrastructure development and technology acquisition. The Nigerian biogas sector faced financial constraints and limited funding in 2024, which hindered the rapid expansion of the sector.
Regulatory and Policy Barriers
Inadequate policy frameworks and regulations hindered the optimum growth of the biogas sector in Nigeria in 2024. Limited incentives for biogas producers, lack of guidelines for waste management, and insufficient support for research and development were some of the challenges faced by the sector.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIOGAS IN NIGERIA
Potential for Waste Management and Energy Production
Nigeria’s large population and growing urbanization create significant waste management challenges. Biogas offers a sustainable solution by converting organic waste into energy, reducing waste disposal issues and providing a clean energy source.
Collaboration with International Partners
Nigeria can leverage international partnerships to access advanced biogas technologies, expertise, and funding. Collaboration with countries like Germany, China, and the United States can help Nigeria accelerate its biogas development and adoption.
Job Creation and Economic Growth
The biogas sector has the potential to create job opportunities and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth. With proper investments in infrastructure and technology, the biogas sector can become a significant employer and driver of economic development in Nigeria.
CONCLUSION
This report has provided a holistic information of the biogas sector in Nigeria, including its growth, challenges, and opportunities up to the year 2024.
The year 2024 marked a turning point for the biogas sector in Nigeria, with increased investment, expansion of utilization, and growing awareness about its potential.
However, challenges such as limited access to technology, financial constraints, and regulatory barriers still need to be addressed. By capitalizing on the opportunities presented by biogas and overcoming these challenges, Nigeria can make significant strides towards achieving energy sustainability and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. There is need for Nigerian government to build at least one biogas plant in each tertiary institutions in the country. This will be very useful in waste management in institution and in provision of alternative energy across the country.
Engr. Onyenobi Chinwendu Samuel, is a Member of Renewable and Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria (RAESON), and the founder of World Biogas Research and Technology.