SWOT MATRIX ANALYSIS OF ALGAE DERIVED BIOFUEL AS A FOURTH GENERATION OF BIOENERGY PROSPECT FOR NIGERIA  

The recent continuous decline in the utilization of fossil fuels as means of energy production has significantly become a global issue and Nigeria as a developing country is grappling with the means of identifying alternative means of energy sustainability. This is the baseline for which this study was conducted as the principle of sustainability is fundamental to natural resources management.

The use of various biofuel productions which has been adopted in Nigeria for a while was measured against the adoption of algae biofuels using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis which was incorporated into the data analysis of comparison of bioenergy production. Here, SWOT Analysis was used to explore new solutions to problems, Identify barriers that will limit objectives of this review, decide on direction that will be most effective and additionally reveal possibilities and limitations for change and positive end result of the adoption of algae biofuels.                            

The results revealed that algae- derived biofuel forms the basis for fourth generation biofuel production which can meet the much-needed need for energy sustainability in Nigeria. Also, biofuels were found to be inevitably important to a decarbonized means of transportation (especially trucks, ships and aircrafts). Further study can be done to include other developing countries, particularly the non-oil-producing nations where large potential of bioenergy production are yet to be tapped. If appropriate policies and related technological innovations are promoted and effected, the production and utilization of biofuels in Nigeria can potentially help solve the economic, social and environmental problems.