BRIDGING IMPLEMENTATION GAPS IN NIGERIA’S SUSTAINABLE ENERGY POLICIES: A PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESS GROUP AND STAKEHOLDER AWARENESS ANALYSIS
2 Ibrahim Usman Jibril Institute of the Built Environment, Nasarawa State University, Nasarawa State
3 C/O Research Directorate, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: okoyeseeyou@gmail.com
Abstract
Purpose: This study investigated the persistent implementation gap within Nigeria's sustainable energy sector by examining how stakeholder awareness and the application of Project Management Process Groups (PMPGs) influence policy performance.
Design/methodology/approach: Utilising a quantitative descriptive survey design, data were collected from 290 stratified stakeholders, including government officials, project managers, community representatives, and energy consultants, via a validated questionnaire (r = 0.84). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests at a 0.05 significance level.
Findings: The results reveal a moderate but uneven familiarity with sustainable energy policies, with 90.9% of respondents rating PMPGs as critical for success. Crucially, a statistically significant association (χ2 = 18.472, p = 0.001) was established between policy familiarity and specific framework awareness, confirming that deeper knowledge enhances implementation engagement.
Research limitations/implications: A primary limitation of the work is its reliance on self-reported survey metrics within a single national environment. Its contribution is providing concrete empirical evidence demonstrating that bridging the implementation gap requires elevating both grassroots literacy and institutional frameworks.
Practical implications: Nigerian energy institutions must shift from top-down administrative models. It is recommended that they launch decentralised communication strategies, targeted policy literacy campaigns, structured lifecycle capacity-building, and integrated monitoring-feedback systems to prevent implementation failure.
Originality/value: The study provides original empirical evidence at the intersection of public energy governance and structured project management, demonstrating that bridging gaps requires a simultaneous elevation of stakeholder literacy and project lifecycle frameworks within developing economies.
Keywords
References
- Abdullahi, D., Renukappa, S., Suresh, S., and Oloke, D. (2021). Barriers for implementing solar energy initiatives in Nigeria: An empirical study. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 11(3), 647–660. [https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-06-2020-0094](https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-06-2020-0094)
- Adebayo, T. S., and Tella, O. (2022). Renewable energy consumption and economic growth in Nigeria: Policy implications. Energy Strategy Reviews, 40, 100815.
- Adenikinju, A., Adediran, O., and Alola, A. (2020). Energy reform and governance challenges in Nigeria. Energy Policy, 144, 111612.
- Akinwale, Y. O., and Ogundari, I. O. (2022). Exploration of renewable energy resources and technologies in Nigeria: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 150, 111423. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111423](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111423)
- Bamisile, O., Huang, Q., Xu, X., and Liu, W. (2022). Renewable energy development in Nigeria: Barriers and policy implications. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 151, 111570.
- Bamisile, O., Huang, Q., Xu, X., and Zhu, W. (2021). Feasibility analysis of off-grid and grid connected hybrid renewable energy systems for Nigeria. Energy Reports, 7, 204–220. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2020.11.088](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2020.11.088)
- Dauda, S. O., and Idehen, S. O. (2021). An examination of the implementation of existing policies on renewable energy in Nigeria: How effective? Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 9(5), 104-119. [https://doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2021.95007](https://doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2021.95007)
- Edomah, N. (2021). The governance of energy transition: Lessons from the Nigerian electricity sector. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 11(40), 1–16. [https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-021-00317-1](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-021-00317-1)
- Eleri, E. O., Onuvae, P., and Ugwu, O. (2022). Renewable energy advocacy and policy diffusion in Nigeria. Energy Research and Social Science, 89, 102560.
- Energy Commission of Nigeria. (2022). Nigeria energy transition plan. Federal Government of Nigeria.
- International Energy Agency. (2023). Nigeria energy profile 2023. IEA.
- International Renewable Energy Agency. (2022). Renewable energy market analysis: Africa and its regions. IRENA.
- Iwayemi, A. (2021). Nigeria's energy transition: Governance, reforms and sustainability challenges. Energy Policy, 149, 112073.
- Klakegg, O. J., Williams, T., and Magnussen, O. M. (2021). Governance frameworks for public infrastructure projects. International Journal of Project Management, 39(4), 344–357.
- Liobikiene, G., and Butkus, M. (2021). Environmental literacy and policy engagement. Journal of Environmental Management, 277, 111418.
- Nwaizu, F. (2021). Digitalisation and sustainable energy transitions in Africa: Assessing the impact of policy and regulatory environments on the energy sector in Nigeria and South Africa. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 11(48), 1–13. [https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-021-00325-1](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-021-00325-1)
- Ohiare, S. (2021). Expanding electricity access to all in Nigeria: A spatial planning and cost analysis. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 11(1), 15. [https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-021-00290-3](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-021-00290-3)
- Olanrewaju, A., Idiake, J., and Oyedele, L. (2023). Project management capability and renewable energy infrastructure performance in Nigeria. Sustainability, 15(9), 7264.
- Onifade, S. T. (2023). Sustainable energy governance in sub-Saharan Africa. Energy Reports, 9, 2331-2345.
- Oyedepo, S. O., Babalola, O. P., Nwanya, S. C., Kilanko, O., Leramo, R. O., Aworinde, A. K., and Adekoya, T. (2022). Towards a sustainable electricity supply in Nigeria: The role of renewable energy. Energy Strategy Reviews, 40, 100822. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2022.100822](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2022.100822)
- Project Management Institute. (2021). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (7th ed.). PMI.
- Qudrat-Ullah, H., Akrofi, M. M., & Kayal, A. (2020). Analyzing actors' engagement in sustainable energy planning at the local level in Ghana: An empirical study. Energies, 13(8), 2028. [https://doi.org/10.3390/en13082028](https://doi.org/10.3390/en13082028)
- Sambo, A. S. (2023). The Nigerian power sector: Achievements, challenges and prospects. Energy Policy, 173, 113366. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113366](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113366)
- Sanderink, L., and Nasiritousi, N. (2020). How institutional interactions can strengthen effectiveness: The case of multi-stakeholder partnerships for renewable energy. Energy Policy, 141, 111447. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111447](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111447)
- Sovacool, B. K., Hook, A., Martiskainen, M., and Baker, L. (2020). The whole systems energy transition. Energy Research and Social Science, 70, 101769.
- World Bank. (2023). Nigeria power sector recovery performance assessment report. World Bank.
OKOYE, C., IDRIS, N., & Choji, I. D. (2026). BRIDGING IMPLEMENTATION GAPS IN NIGERIA’S SUSTAINABLE ENERGY POLICIES: A PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESS GROUP AND STAKEHOLDER AWARENESS ANALYSIS. Kaduna State University Environmental Sciences Journal, 6(1), 262-276. https://doi.org/10.66884/kesj.2026.b8k5382j
C. OKOYE, N. IDRIS, and I. D. Choji, "BRIDGING IMPLEMENTATION GAPS IN NIGERIA’S SUSTAINABLE ENERGY POLICIES: A PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESS GROUP AND STAKEHOLDER AWARENESS ANALYSIS," Kaduna State University Environmental Sciences Journal, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 262-276, June 2026. doi: 10.66884/kesj.2026.b8k5382j