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An Analysis of the Challenges to Achieving Sustainable Practices in Nigeria's Construction Sector Unegbu, Hyginus; YAWAS, Danjuma; Dan-asabe, Bashar; Alabi, Abdulmumin Akoredeley
Advances in Civil Engineering and Sustainable Architecture Vol. 7 No. 1 (2025): Advances in Civil Engineering and Sustainable Architecture
Publisher : Petra Christian University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.9744/acesa.v7i1.14464

Abstract

This study investigates the key barriers to the adoption of sustainable construction practices in Nigeria, focusing on regulatory, organizational, social, cultural, and technological factors. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines qualitative case studies and interviews with quantitative survey data to identify these challenges. The findings highlight the multifaceted and interconnected nature of these barriers, with regulatory challenges—such as outdated building codes, insufficient legislative support, and bureaucratic inefficiencies—emerging as the most significant. Social and cultural resistance to change, coupled with limited public awareness of sustainable construction benefits, further complicate adoption. Technological challenges, including high costs of green materials and a shortage of skilled professionals, are also key obstacles. The study suggests that Nigeria can draw valuable lessons from other developing countries, such as South Africa, India, and Indonesia, where similar challenges have been addressed through proactive policies and innovative practices. Recommendations for overcoming these barriers include modernizing building codes, strengthening leadership in sustainability within the construction sector, and launching comprehensive public education campaigns to shift societal attitudes. The study further advocates for increased investment in green technologies and the development of local supply chains to reduce costs and enhance the accessibility of sustainable construction materials. By adopting these strategies, Nigeria can promote sustainable building practices and contribute to global knowledge on overcoming barriers to sustainability in developing economies.
Development of a Waste Plastic-to-Fuel Conversion System for Sustainable Energy Generation in Urban Nigeria Unegbu, Hyginus; YAWAS, Danjuma
R.E.M. (Rekayasa Energi Manufaktur) Jurnal Vol 10 No 2 (2025): December
Publisher : Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.21070/r.e.m.v10i2.1775

Abstract

Plastic waste pollution has emerged as a critical environmental and public health concern in Nigeria’s rapidly urbanising regions, where improper disposal and inefficient waste management systems persist. In parallel, the country faces acute energy insecurity, largely driven by erratic diesel supply and rising fossil fuel costs. This study presents the design, optimisation, and techno-environmental evaluation of a decentralised pyrolysis-based conversion system for transforming plastic waste into liquid fuel. Polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polystyrene (PS) were thermally degraded at controlled temperatures between 350°C and 500°C under inert conditions. Experimental trials revealed that oil yield increased with temperature, peaking at 450°C for all polymers. PP demonstrated the highest yield (65.1%) followed by PS (63.0%), HDPE (62.5%), and LDPE (60.4%). Fuel characterisation showed calorific values of up to 42.7 MJ/kg and physicochemical properties within acceptable diesel standards. Emissions analysis using flue gas monitoring confirmed low outputs of CO, NOx, and SO₂, all within Euro VI regulatory limits. Energy efficiency was highest for PP-derived fuel at 71.4%. Techno-economic modelling, based on a 10-year operational horizon, produced a net present value of ₦11.8 million, an internal rate of return of 28.4%, and a break-even fuel price of ₦290/litre. Statistical modelling further validated temperature and polymer type as primary determinants of yield performance. The findings demonstrate that decentralised plastic pyrolysis systems can simultaneously address urban waste accumulation, reduce environmental emissions, and provide affordable alternative fuels, making them suitable for integration into Nigeria’s circular economy and energy access strategies.
Toward a Regional Energy Future: Opportunities and Challenges for Cross-Border Renewable Power Integration in West Africa Unegbu, Hyginus Chidiebere Onyekachi; YAWAS, Danjuma
Jurnal Pengabdian KOLABORATIF Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): January
Publisher : Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Semarang

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.26623/kolaboratif.v4i1.12796

Abstract

Achieving reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity access remains a critical challenge for power systems in West Africa. Although the region possesses abundant renewable energy resources, fragmented national planning and limited cross-border transmission interconnections continue to restrict optimal resource utilization. This study investigates the technical, economic, and institutional implications of cross-border renewable power integration within the ECOWAS regional power system. Power system modeling was conducted using the PyPSA platform, representing a 14-bus regional network simulated over a full annual operating cycle with high-resolution demand and generation profiles. Three operational scenarios were assessed: Business-as-Usual, private-led Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and Coordinated Regional Integration. System performance was evaluated using system marginal costs, renewable energy penetration, transmission utilization, and reliability indices. The results indicate that the Coordinated Integration scenario significantly outperforms the other scenarios, achieving up to a 36% reduction in average system marginal costs, renewable energy penetration exceeding 60%, and improved grid reliability through enhanced load balancing and reserve-sharing mechanisms. In contrast, the Business-as-Usual and PPA-based scenarios exhibit lower performance due to inefficient transmission utilization and institutional fragmentation. The findings highlight that infrastructure expansion alone is insufficient to ensure optimal regional power system performance. Effective integration requires harmonized operational standards, consistent regulatory frameworks, and strengthened regional institutions. Enhancing the roles of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), supported by performance-based regional investment mechanisms, is essential to unlock the full benefits of cross-border energy cooperation. This study provides a technically grounded and policy-relevant framework to accelerate energy transition, improve power system resilience, and foster economic integration across West Africa.
Design and Fabrication of a Modular Mini-Hydro Turbine for Off-Grid Electrification in Nigeria’s Riverine Communities Unegbu, Hyginus; YAWAS, Danjuma
R.E.M. (Rekayasa Energi Manufaktur) Jurnal Vol 11 No 1 (2026): In Progress
Publisher : Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.21070/r.e.m.v11i1.1776

Abstract

This research presents the design, simulation, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a modular crossflow mini-hydro turbine engineered to address persistent energy access challenges in Nigeria’s off-grid riverine communities. The system was conceived to operate efficiently under low-head, variable-flow conditions typical of inland watercourses, using a fully modular design framework that emphasises ease of deployment, maintenance, and scalability. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was employed during the design phase to optimise internal flow characteristics, nozzle geometry, and runner-blade profiles. The turbine achieved a hydraulic efficiency of 62% to 68% and produced a consistent power output of 300–340 W per module across a range of flow conditions. Empirical testing validated the CFD predictions with deviations remaining under 7%, confirming the design’s reliability. Environmental assessments revealed noise and vibration levels well within rural acceptability thresholds, and casing integrity was preserved under continuous operational testing. A key innovation of the system lies in its modular configuration. All primary components—including the shaft-runner assembly, generator unit, and control interface—were designed to be independently replaceable using basic tools. Scalability tests confirmed that dual-module operation retained 92% efficiency, demonstrating the viability of phased expansion in community-scale installations. The turbine aligns with national electrification objectives and offers a replicable, context-sensitive solution for rural electrification in sub-Saharan Africa. The study contributes a practical and scalable model for clean energy deployment, advancing the case for modular micro-hydro systems as critical infrastructure in remote and underserved regions.