The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote Nigeria’s energy security and prosperity.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made this statement at the First Nigeria Hydrogen Conference, themed “Building a Hydrogen Economy for Nigeria,” organized by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in collaboration with the Foundation for Sustainable Social Responsibility in Emerging Africa (FOSSREA) in Abuja.
The Vice President, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure in the Office of the Vice President, Sadiq Wanka, emphasized the importance of advancing Nigeria’s energy agenda and highlighted the need for innovative solutions to drive economic growth and development.
According to Shettima, Nigeria has set out an energy transition plan with an ambitious goal of achieving a net-zero economy by 2060. This includes a commitment to attaining 9GW of renewable electric power supply by 2030, with natural gas serving as a key transition fuel. He added that hydrogen has emerged as a vital component of Nigeria’s energy future.
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“Given our vast natural gas and renewable energy resources, the potential for hydrogen to meet our domestic energy demands, service our burgeoning petrochemical industry, and reshape our energy trade through exports cannot be overstated,” he stated.
Shettima also stressed the need for regional collaboration with other countries in the sub-region and the continent to support the viability of hydrogen domestically. He advocated for partnerships with development agencies and nations that are more advanced in hydrogen technology to ensure knowledge transfer and attract the capital required to kick-start a hydrogen economy in Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, stated that Nigeria, blessed with abundant natural resources and human capital, is positioning itself as a key player in the global hydrogen economy.
He noted that as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, with energy demand expected to double by 2050, Nigeria remains committed to achieving net-zero emissions under the Paris Agreement.
Ekpo emphasized that hydrogen development aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes sustainable development.
“Hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen produced using our abundant renewable energy resources, and blue hydrogen leveraging our natural gas reserves with carbon capture, presents a unique opportunity to balance seemingly competing objectives,” the minister explained.
The minister also highlighted the need for partnerships with other nations and assured that Nigeria’s natural gas reserves of 206 trillion cubic feet, combined with significant solar potential—about 2,000 hours of sunshine annually—provide an ideal foundation for green and blue hydrogen production. Nigeria’s strategic location offers excellent access to European and African markets, and existing gas infrastructure can be adapted for hydrogen transportation.
He added that hydrogen offers a viable path for transforming the country’s oil and gas infrastructure, turning challenges into opportunities, and ensuring the energy sector remains vibrant and globally competitive.
The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, stated that the conference symbolized Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable energy and innovation.
He commended the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and FOSSREA for their foresight, noting that hydrogen offers immense potential to decarbonize energy systems, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a leader in the global clean energy transition.
“Government, private sector, academia, and international partners can collaborate to develop the pilot green hydrogen production plant being constructed by the Energy Commission of Nigeria. This initiative will serve as a catalyst for scaling up clean hydrogen technologies by fostering research, innovation, and technology transfer,” the minister said.
Earlier, in his virtual welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, stated that the national conference on hydrogen provides a platform for critical discussions on the technology, policy, financing, and infrastructure needed to develop a robust hydrogen economy.
Ella informed participants that the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported global hydrogen demand of approximately 94 million metric tons in 2022, with projections suggesting demand could reach between 500 and 700 million metric tons annually by 2050 if net-zero ambitions are realized.
He noted that by 2023, countries such as Germany, Japan, and South Korea had collectively committed over $70 billion to developing hydrogen supply chains and technology. This underscores the importance of Nigeria positioning itself as an investment-friendly environment to attract similar international financial support and partnerships.
The Permanent Secretary outlined the conference’s objectives, including disseminating the latest research findings and technological advancements in hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilization.
In his remarks, the Chairman of FOSSREA, Aliyu Mijinyawa, stated that the conference aims to position Nigeria at the forefront of the global hydrogen economy, leveraging clean energy solutions to drive sustainable economic growth, energy security, and climate action.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), the Permanent Secretary, and the directors and staff of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources for their unwavering support and collaboration toward the conference’s success.
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