Effect Of Energy Consumption On Environmental Quality In Nigeria

This study explores the impact of energy consumption and economic growth on environmental quality in Nigeria from 1991-2023. The issue of irregular rainfall patterns, droughts, extreme daytime and nighttime temperatures, ecosystem degradation and other climate change issues is evidence of the significant reduction in environmental quality in Nigeria. To examine this concern, the objective of this study included, evaluating the effect of energy consumption and economic growth on environmental quality in Nigeria and testing the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in Nigeria. Annual time series data sourced from World Development Indicators (WDI) of various years was utilized. This study was anchored on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis and was based on the analytical framework of the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) which was used for the analysis. The major findings of this study included that energy consumption, and economic growth had a positive and significant impact on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the long run and short run. The ARDL results indicated the presence of Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) in Nigeria. The study recommends that as the country’s demand for energy increases, attention should be given to the environmental impacts of such processes. A viable proportion of alternative energy should be included in the country’s energy mix to address both energy needs and the environmental concerns due to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which cause environmental degradation. This will assist in reducing environmental pollution and, at the same time, sustain long term economic growth. Similarly, the pollution behavior of firms and individuals consuming energy should be regulated by setting an emission standard in the country, and defaulters should be penalized strictly.