Asian Bulletin of Energy Economics and Technology

This research tries to investigate the impact of population growth on energy generation in Nigeria using Auto Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL). The study employed an econometric methodology involving the use of unit root test, cointegration test technique. The study use of different source of electricity production in Nigeria such as hydro power source (HPS), natural gas source (NGS), oil and coal sources (OCS) , as dependents variables which were regress against population and real gross domestic product (GDP) as explanatory variables which altogether serve as determinants of energy generation. The ARDL Bound test reveals that both the three equations under studies are cointegrated. Consequently, the study finds that the long run and short run dynamics of the variables involved. From the long run coefficients the study found that population growth has a positive and significant impact on energy generation from natural gas source, oil and coal source but negative impact on hydropower sources. Based on these findings some recommendations were made, Nigeria government should adequately project the growing rate of population in advance so as to generate volume of energy that will cater for the population so as to avoid the risk of energy shortage in Nigeria.