BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Power access is very important to the development of the country. The availability or unavailability of power has a great influence on the development of rural power. Nigeria has vast quantities of fossil fuel reserve and power sources, with a population of 168.8 million as of 2012. Per capita power consumption in Nigeria is only 148 kWh/a, which is much lower than the 535 kWh/a of the sub-saharan averageThe country has a current power generation capacity of about 4.5 GW and aims at attaining a power generation capacity of 40 GW by the year 2020. Energy support program is expected to contribute significantly towards meeting this objective as can be gleaned from the objectives outlined in the NEP of 2003 and the Energy Support Program of 2005. energy support program will prove particularly crucial for those that have not been provided for by the national grid system.

There are abundant energy resources available in the country which include small scale hydro power potential of about 734 MW, average solar irradiance of 4 kWh/m2 along the coastline south and 7 kWh/m2 in the extremely north and a rural agrarian populace

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Electricity is a necessity for economic growth and improvement of living standards, but unfortunately, many rural areas in Nigeria are still faced with the problem of insufficient access to electricity. Despite the existence of different government policies and energy support schemes, there is a low level of access to electricity in many places in Nigeria.

There have been several initiatives of developing rural electricity in Nigeria; however, some of these initiatives have been hampered by a number of factors such as lack of funding, inadequate infrastructure, lack of technical know-how, corruption, and inconsistent policies..

Insufficient power supply in rural areas has impacted negatively the performance of economic activities, health care provision, education, and agriculture. Rural residents depend largely on costly and environmentally unfriendly sources of energy such as kerosene, firewood, and generators. This has led to poverty and unemployment among others in rural settings.

While there is ample literature on rural electrification in Nigeria, not much effort has been devoted to assessing the role of energy support programs in enhancing rural electricity development initiatives. Hence, this research attempts to address this gap by investigating the efficiency, challenges, and prospects of energy support programs in rural electricity development initiatives in Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The key purpose of this study is to investigate the process of developing energy support programs for rural electricity development projects in Nigeria.

The specific purposes include:

1.       Determine the various forms of energy support programs for rural electricity development projects in Nigeria.

2.       Investigate the contributions of energy support programs for rural electricity development in Nigeria.

3.       Determine the various challenges facing rural electricity development projects in Nigeria.

4.       Evaluate the impacts of rural electrification on socio-economic development in rural areas.

5.       Propose appropriate solutions to enhance rural electricity development projects in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

The research questions that will direct the research are as follows:

1.      What are the energy support programs for rural electricity development in Nigeria?

2.      How do energy support programs assist in rural electrification in Nigeria?

3.      What are the issues associated with rural electricity development projects in Nigeria?

4.      What is the effect of rural electrification on socio-economic development in rural areas?

5.      What steps can be taken to enhance rural electricity development projects in Nigeria?

1.5 Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses will be tested in this study:

H01: Energy development programs do not significantly contribute to the development of rural electricity in Nigeria.

H02: Rural electrification does not significantly enhance socio-economic development in rural areas in Nigeria.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study is expected to be useful to the government, policy makers, energy authorities, rural communities, researchers, and development organizations. Results from the study would assist the government and policy makers in gaining insight into the problems surrounding rural electrification projects and formulating policies for ensuring better access to electricity in rural areas.

Energy authorities such as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and power distribution companies would find results from the study useful in developing strategies that could be used to implement successful rural electrification projects. The rural community would also stand to gain from better provision of electricity in the area as it would improve their economic, social, and educational status.

The study will make contributions to the body of knowledge concerning rural electrification and energy assistance schemes in Nigeria. It will also act as a source of information for other researchers undertaking similar studies.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study will be centered on the creation of energy support programs on rural electricity development projects in Nigeria. It will consider the following: energy support programs, problems associated with rural electrification projects, benefits of electricity to rural development, and means of enhancing rural electricity provision in Nigeria.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Some of the constraints faced by the researcher include lack of sufficient funds, lack of adequate data, lack of enough time to conduct extensive field research, and the reluctance of some of the participants to give accurate information. The research only applies to the development of electricity in rural areas in Nigeria.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

Energy Support Program: Programs implemented by either the government or the private sector to improve electricity production and energy infrastructure development.

Rural Electrification: The process of providing electricity to rural areas.

Electrification Development Program: Programs whose purpose is to improve electricity generation and distribution networks.

Renewable Energy: Energy extracted from renewable resources such as solar, wind, and water.

Socio-economic Development: Development in socio-economic conditions of people.

Infrastructure: Physical facilities necessary for development, such as electricity and communication networks.