STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE OF ALGAE-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY IN ABIA STATE, SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

This study investigates stakeholder engagement and the social acceptance of algae-based renewable energy in Aba North and Osisioma Local Government Areas of Abia State, South East Nigeria. The research was motivated by the dual challenges of energy insecurity and untreated industrial effluents that contribute to environmental degradation. Specifically, the study pursued three objectives: to examine stakeholder perceptions of algae cultivation as both a renewable energy option and a wastewater management strategy; to assess how stakeholder engagement influences social acceptance, legitimacy, and sustainability; and to identify the socio-economic and environmental benefits, as well as the challenges, associated with wastewater-driven algae systems. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed, using structured questionnaires administered to 361 respondents and semi-structured interviews with key informants. Descriptive statistics and one-sample t-tests were used to analyze quantitative data, while thematic analysis guided the interpretation of qualitative responses. The findings revealed strong stakeholder consensus that wastewater effluents in Aba North and Osisioma contain adequate nutrients to sustain algae growth (M = 4.42; t = 5.87; p < 0.001). Engagement processes were found to significantly influence social acceptance, enhancing trust, ownership, and legitimacy of algae bioenergy projects (M = 4.18; t = 4.67; p < 0.001). Respondents also acknowledged algae’s socio-economic and environmental potential, including wastewater remediation, employment generation, and energy diversification (M = 4.27; t = 5.02; p < 0.001). Despite these benefits, challenges such as high capital costs, inadequate technical expertise, weak infrastructure, and limited policy support were identified as barriers to large-scale adoption. The study concludes that algae-based renewable energy is technically viable and socially desirable in Abia State, but its success will depend on awareness creation, participatory governance, capacity building, and supportive regulatory and financial frameworks.