Rewiring Nigeria's Energy Future: Blockchain And The Possibility Of Peer‑to‑Peer Electricity Trading

Blockchain technology is reshaping how electricity can be produced, traded, and governed, offering new possibilities for countries grappling with unreliable grids and persistent supply gaps. This paper investigates the emergence of blockchain‑enabled peer‑to‑peer (P2P) energy trading, using Nigeria as a lens to explore how decentralized digital infrastructure could redefine participation in electricity markets. Drawing on parallels with the rapid digitalization of financial services, the study examines how distributed ledger systems can support direct energy exchange between prosumers, shift utilities toward roles as market custodians, and improve system trust through transparent, tamper‑proof transaction records. The analysis evaluates regulatory readiness, technical prerequisites, and socioeconomic impacts within Nigeria's evolving energy ecosystem, where chronic shortages and grid instability create both urgency and opportunity for alternative market models. The findings highlight the potential for P2P trading to accelerate energy access, stimulate local investment, and catalyse a more resilient, consumer‑centric electricity sector.