ABSTRACT

The present study examined the energy and SO₂ emission performance in electricity generation in Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine thetrend analysis aggregate Green House Gas emissions in Nigeria, evaluate the effect of SO₂ gas emissions on energy performance in Nigeria, examine the effect of SO₂ gas emissions on electricity generation in Nigeria and analyse the trend of SO₂ gas emissions against Gross Domestic Product emission index in Nigeria. The study adopted ex post facto research design. Secondary data from National Green House Gases Inventory Report over a period of 18 years. The greenhouse gases and other parameters that were extracted from the statistical bulletin include; SO₂ Emission, CH₄ emission, NO₂ Emission (Gg), CO₂ emission, (Gg), Energy consumed, Gross Domestic Product emissions index and Electricity generation in Nigeria. Econometric View version 9 was used for the trend analysis of the combined gas emissions. The trend analysis of aggregate gas emissions from 2000 to 2017 showed that SO₂, CO₂, CH₄ and NO₂ had a positive trend of persistent and continuous increase over the years under study. The result showed that aggregate gas emissions of gases ranged between 148,086Gg  and 182,686Gg for CH₄, 19,822Gg and 32,614Gg for NO₂, 296,508Gg and 462884Gg for CO₂ within 2002 and 2017 respectively. SO₂ gas emissions on energy performance in Nigeria from 2000 to 2017 increased from 41Gg to 68Gg. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the government should maintain expenditure on infrastructures that are environmentally friendly and encourage renewable energy investors through subsidies and incentives so that as the economy grows, the threat of climate change can be adapted and mitigated through reduction in emissions.