ABSTRACT

Nigeria's clean energy transition is imperative for mitigating climate change and achieving sustainable development. However, the country's transition to a low-carbon economy faces significant epistemological barriers, hindering the adoption of clean energy solutions. Despite growing concerns about climate change, the nation's energy sector remains dominated by fossil fuels. This study critically examines the epistemological barriers to Nigeria's low-carbon economy, exploring the intersections of knowledge systems, power dynamics and energy policy. The research reveals that dominant western epistemologies perpetuate fossil fuel-centric energy policies, overlooking indigenous knowledge and contextualized solutions. Epistemological barriers, including the marginalization of local perspectives and the prioritization of technical expertise over traditional knowledge, hinder the adoption of renewable energy technologies. Furthermore, the study highlights how power dynamics, influenced by international agreements, global economic interests and national politics, reinforce these epistemological barriers. Using a critical discourse analysis and epistemological critique, this study demonstrates the need for epistemological diversity and reflexivity in Nigeria's energy policy. It argues that integrating indigenous knowledge, contextualized solutions and participatory approaches can facilitate a successful transition to a low-carbon economy. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on low-carbon transitions in developing economies, offering valuable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and scholars.