Nigeria isendowedwithabundantenergyresources,bothconventionalandrenewable,whichcan
potentiallyprovidethecountrywithasufficient capacitytomeettheambitionsofbothurbanandrural
Nigerians ofafull,nationwideelectrification level.Yet,Nigeriahasoneofthelowestconsumptionrates
of electricitypercapitainAfrica.Withthedemandsupersedingthegeneration,thereisinequitable
access ofruralcommunitiestotheelectricityserviceinthecountry.Thereareinherentobstacles
militating againsttheeffectiveimplementationofanorderlyenergypolicyinNigeria.Theinefficiencies
overshadowingtheallocationofenergyresourcescoupledwiththeneardepletionoffossilfuels,makeit
imperativeforthecountrytoexploititshugenaturalrenewableresourcestoavoidaworseningenergy
supply scenarioandprovidefeasibleelectricitytoruraldwellers.Thispaperpresentsareviewof
renewableenergypotentialsinNigeriatobetappedforusefulanduninterruptedelectricenergysupply.
The extentofrenewableenergyresourcesisdescribedandexistinggovernmentpoliciesarearticulated.
Various polices,thatcouldpossiblyincentivizetherealizationofwiderrenewableenergyapplicationsin
rural Nigeria,areproposed.Thechallengesandfutureprospectsofrenewableenergyarealsodiscussed.
Dissemination ofdecentralizedrenewableenergyresourceswillnotonlyimprovethewellbeingofrural
Nigerian communities,butalsoenhanceNigeria'senergyandeconomicprospectsforpotentialglobal
investment.