PRACTISING ENERGY SAVING IN NIGERIA, THE ONLY WAY OUT  The practice of saving electrical energy (power) means efficient utilization of this type of energy.Nigeria though priding itself as the giant of Africa is in a very poor state in terms of power generation. The less than 5,000MW generation for a population estimated at about 180 million is unacceptable and certainly a mockery of that status when compared with the over 45,000 MW generated by South Africa with a population of 50 million and Egypt, which generates 25,000 MW for a population of 85 million.  Power which is the rate of dissipation of Energy is widely regarded as a catalyst behind any economic and indeed industrial growth of any nation. Power and Energy are in most cases used interchangeably.The demand for electricity in Nigeria is mainly for industrial, commercial and residential purposes. Residential sector demand for electricity has continue to rise since the last three decade, while the industrial sector demand has witnessing continuous downward trend. The fall in the industrial sector’s demand for electricity can be attributed to inadequate power supply and this  has forced most industries to close shop and few surviving ones resorting to privately generated electricity for powering their production processes.

  The less than 5,000 MW of electricity generated in Nigeria, 50% or about half of  this generation is wasted. Though some power is wasted during transmission and distribution but the amount is negligible when compare to the amount of energy wasted because of the types of appliances we are using and our altitude towards electricity usage generally.Successive government in Nigeria have not done enough to encourage energy saving and the use of energy saving product.   Nigeria government have always layed emphasis on generation which is very good anyway but forgot the popular saying that  "Energy saved is energy generated". I expect the President of Nigeria, the Minister of Power and other state holders to change their approach towards energy efficiency. In his February 12, 2013, State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama set an ambitious energy efficiency goal:  he said “Let’s cut in half the energy wasted by our homes and businesses over the next 20 years.” The American Department of Energy is helping to meet that target through higher energy efficiency standards for products being produced in that country and those imported. If America that is already self sufficient in energy production are still embarking on this kind of this projects then Nigeria government and Nigerians must do more.

The total power saved from this small attitudinal change can then be use by the surviving manufacturing industries and even encourage those that have relocated to some neighbouring countries because of inadequate electricity supply to come back and this might be the magic that can salvage this our great country.The present generation peak of a little above 5,000MW for a country of about 180million is abysmally low compare to the national demand put at about 32,000MW by the Energy Commission of Nigeria. Considering the fact that out the 5,000MW generated, only about 2,500MW (50%) is what is actually used and paid for while others are wasted. We  must reconsider the consequence of this our attitude to the industrial growth, security and general well-being of the citizenry, to say that we are facing an energy crisis is an understatement. This unfortunate situation has make it imperative for government and everybody to pay attention on energy efficiency.
 Every time you buy a new home appliance, or replace a burned-out light bulb, you are making a decision that not only saves you money but equally shows how patriotic you are to this our nation Nigeria. But you may not realize just how big a difference each of us can make by taking energy use into account in our household purchasing and usage decisions.Okechukwu Paul Okeke,  08033438490