Public Understanding of Renewable Energy Technologies in Nigeria: Implications For Science and Technology Policy and Education

1. EDGEWOOD CAMPUS
DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA
WOJUOLA ROSEMARY NIKE
Public Understanding of Renewable Energy
Technologies in Nigeria: Implications For
Science and Technology Policy and Education

2.  Title
 Background
 Renewable energy in Nigeria
 Implementation Barriers
 Renewable energy and Education
 Public Understanding of Renewable
Energy Technologies
 The Way Forward
 References
Public Understanding of Renewable Energy
Technologies in Nigeria: Implications For
Science and Technology Policy and Education

3.  Everything we do is connected with
energy in one form or the other
 Increasing energy demand
 Increasing global concerns about
energy generation and use
Public Understanding of Renewable Energy
Technologies in Nigeria: Implications For
Background
Science and Technology Policy and Education

4. Renewable Energy In Nigeria
Nigeria is endowed with great renewable energy (RE) potentials.
 If only 0.1% of the total solar radiant energy converted at 1% efficiency
would meet the total energy demand of the nation (Akinbami, 2001).
 There exists great possibilities of power generation from renewable
energy sources in Nigeria
(Fagbenle, Katende, Ajayi, & Okeniyi, 2011; Ogunmodimu, 2013; Ohunakin, 2011; Okey,
2013; Oluseyi & Kolawole, 2009; Oyedepo, 2012; A. Sambo, 2009)
Renewable energy sources will prevent problems of fossil fuel
dependence
(Akinbami, 2001; A. Sambo, 2009; Sonibare, 2010; E. UNDP, 2005; Vincent-Akpu, 2012).
Public Understanding of
Renewable Energy Technologies in
Nigeria: Implications For Science
and Technology Policy and
Education

5. Renewable Energy In Nigeria CTN
 Nigerian National energy policy 2003 - energy sector will be
diversified and pursue renewable energy production
 National renewable energy master plan - 10% renewable
Public Understanding of Renewable Energy
Technologies in Nigeria: Implications For
Science and Technology Policy and Education
energy penetration by 2020
 Pilot and demonstration projects - Majorly in rural areas

6. Renewable Energy and Education
 Agenda 21 of the United Nations Commission on
Environment Development indicated the importance of
education in achieving sustainable development (UANDP,
1992).
 For sustainable energy programme, all stakeholders must be
well educated
 Scientific literacy - level of public understanding of science that
encourages one to act in concert with scientific consensus (Crowell
& Schunn, 2013).
 Scientific knowledge makes it easier for people to compare the
risks and benefits - enables more specific valued judgments
(Mielby, 2013)
 Public skepticism about technological innovations
Public Understanding of Renewable
Energy Technologies in Nigeria:
Implications For Science and
Technology Policy and Education

7. Public Understanding of Renewable
Energy Technologies
 Public understanding consists of beliefs, attitudes, and
perceptions about renewable energy technologies
 Beliefs are based on knowledge, or suppositions and
convictions which an individual holds to be true.
 Attitude - a belief system or a set of values that are
towards an object that is a product of science, science
lesson or reflections of science on the society (Yilmaz
& Timur, 2011).
 Perceptions are certainty ascribed to beliefs.
Public Understanding of
Renewable Energy Technologies in
Nigeria: Implications For Science
and Technology Policy and
Education

8. Knowledge
about
Renewable
Energy
Technologies
Beliefs about
consequences (bi)
Perceived
Usefulness
Perceived Ease
of Use
Attitude
toward
Renewable
Energy
Technologies
Behavioral
Intentions (BI)
Sustainable
Behavior
Evaluation of
consequences (ei)

9.  To explore the understanding (inclusive of perceptions,
beliefs and attitudes) of Nigerian populace to renewable
energy technologies, in order to determine the nature of
an interface, if any, between their understanding and
sustainable behaviour
 To derive implications for science and technology policy
and education in the country from the findings of the
study.
Public Understanding of Renewable Energy
Technologies in Nigeria: Implications For
Science and Technology Policy and Education

10. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF RENEWABLE
ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
 According to Davis (1989), one’s actual use of a technology system is
influenced directly or indirectly by the user’s behavioural intentions,
attitude, perceived usefulness of the system, and perceived ease of use
of the system.
 Positive attitude towards renewable energy technologies will enhance
the exhibition of sustainable behavior in terms of energy generation and
use.
Public Understanding of
Renewable Energy Technologies in
Nigeria: Implications For Science
and Technology Policy and
Education

11. THE WAY FORWARD
Public (social) acceptance shortens the time between the first discussions
of new technical systems and their implementation (Assefa & Frostell,
2007)
Public acceptance cannot be achieved without public understanding.
Public attitude needs to change to make major developments about the
implementation of renewable energy technologies feasible (Devine-Wright,
2007).
 Education as a powerful agent of social change:
 Raises awareness about new development and products
 Creates public confidence in the new products
 Trains the public to use them effectively (Jennings, 2000).
 Nigerian public must have the right attitude and right perceptions about
renewable energy technologies before there can be successful
implementation of the technologies.
Public Understanding of Renewable Energy
Technologies in Nigeria: Implications For
Science and Technology Policy and
Education

12. Public Understanding of
Renewable Energy Technologies in
Nigeria: Implications For Science
and Technology Policy and
Education

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Public Understanding of Renewable Energy
Technologies in Nigeria: Implications For
Science and Technology Policy and Education

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Public Understanding of
Renewable Energy Technologies in
Nigeria: Implications For Science
and Technology Policy and
Education

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Renewable Energy Technologies in
Nigeria: Implications For Science
and Technology Policy and
Education

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Renewable Energy Technologies in
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Public Understanding of Renewable Energy
Technologies in Nigeria: Implications For Science
and Technology Policy and Education