*Perspective Chapter: Imperative of Nigerian Demographics for Green Housing DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108794*

to only 15% required for lighting in Nigeria [38]. Apart from its contribution to high operational cost, this also increases the greenhouse gas emission especially in urban centers. Since there is no record decrease in the rate of global warming across the world, the demand for HVAC will continue to increase. To meet the housing need of growing Nigerian population, the use of green and renewable energy is pertinent for future housing. Any housing development that does not provide for HVAC is not appropriate. It goes to say that 50% of whatever is spent on electricity is used for HVAC. Buildings in the northern part of the country need electricity for heating more at some point in the year while those in the southern pat needs more for ventilation. Energy cost constitute more of the occupational cost. The provision of green energy using renewable energy sources, energy metering and use of high impact opening for ventilation and lighting, both the initial and future running cost of such buildings will be minimized. This will improve the positive impact of the building.

The rural areas are left in darkness for months up to years, the cities towns and urban centers are subject to noise and pollution from generating sets. There are reports of families losing their lives to fumes from generating sets left running while they went to sleep. Others would have suffered life threatening illnesses not so obvious to the naked eyes as a result of pollution from generating sets. Despite the economic challenges in the country, an average home uses 50% of its income on fueling generating set alone. This is an economic loss which is reversible through the use of renewable energy sources such as solar inverter systems. Improved energy demand can be achieved also by the use of energy saving materials [21].

The Nigerian power sector persistently is unable to provide adequate supply of electricity to domestic households and for industrial uses in contrast to its rapidly growing economy and population. Only 45% of Nigerian's population are connected to the power grid. There is power failure 85% of the time with and average supply of 4 hours/day. The obviously poor supply of electricity in the country is attributed to Nigeria's overdependence on oil revenue, lack of legal framework articulating comprehensive strategy promoting green energy and political will to enforce and implement existing laws. The country's huge potential for renewable energy is not fully utilized unlike countries like china, brazil and Germany. The installation of prepaid meters after the privatization exercise gave a boost to energy metering in contrast, to use of renewable energy sources [39].

Poor power supply cripples developmental and economic activities, negatively affecting the economic power and livelihood of the younger population. The resultant effect is the use of electrical power generating set to meet up their electricity needs. This comes at a high cost to the individual, and environmental pollution from burning of fossil fuel used for the generating sets. Nearly every household in the cities and towns own a particular type of generating set or the other. People in the villages now use smaller generating sets to substitute for electricity which may not be available for 3–4 months and to years in some instances. In 2018, the federal government through the Nigeria Energy Policy (NEP) [24] embarked on rural electrification process to provide solar energy systems to 5million houses by 2030 if successful. The NEP is to guarantee adequate, reliable and sustainable supply of energy at an optimum cost. However, NEP was intent on providing access to power and not on environmental sustainability. Therefore, there is not much consideration for renewable energy sources such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar and wind energy. While the country seeks to promote access to qualitative power supply, there should be balance with environmental sustainability.

Apart from poor power supply, another major problem is that 80% of carbon emission in Nigeria is from fossil fuel [40]. Nigeria currently sources very little of its energy from wind and solar. In 2018, around 18% of its electricity came from hydropower which is the largest source of low-carbon energy in Nigeria's power. In 2006, Nigeria produced a "Renewable Energy Master Plan" (REMP). Updated in 2011, the plan seeks to increase the supply of renewable electricity to 23% of the total electricity generation in 2025 and 36% by 2030 [13].

From the foregoing, the need for energy efficient building in the provision of future housing cannot be over emphasized. The gap in the energy need and supply will not provide the quality housing if this requirement for green housing is not incorporated into housing policies in Nigeria.
