An Exploratory Study of Adoption of Brazilian-based Model for Production and Diffusion of Cassava Ethanol in Nigeria

Nigeria has chosen to adopt the development and application of biofuel as an alternative fossil energy sources in its bid to lessen air pollution and mitigate climate change through reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in the transportation sector. This might be a pathway to generating a sustainable economy that will improve automotive exhaust emission in the country, reduce domestic use of petrol, free up more crude for export and to position Nigeria for development of green fuel. Based on information from Nigeria National Petroleum corporation’s (NNPC) official in the Renewable Energy Division, two potential crops were explored for fuel ethanol initiative in Nigeria, Sugar cane and Cassava. This paper focus on the production and diffusion of fuel ethanol from Cassava. The diffusion of innovation theory is used to analyze successful dissemination of this innovation within the country. Barriers and possible challenges were discussed; strategies to overcoming these challenges were suggested. This can be a roadmap for government, policy makers and key actors in the biofuel sector, the sustainable path to clean environment within the Nigerian energy sector.