Nigeria has significant potential and resources to become a global leader in green hydrogen production if these are effectively harnessed.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, stated this during the International Hydrogen Summit at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, in southwest Nigeria.
Dr Salako explained that green hydrogen, unlike traditional fossil fuels, is produced through the electrolysis of water using electricity generated by renewable energy sources. This makes it a clean, carbon-neutral fuel that emits no greenhouse gases, which is crucial in tackling climate change.
The Minister represented by the Director General of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Dr. Zachariah Yaduma, stressed that developing green hydrogen is a key strategy for Nigeria in achieving its long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2060.
He said; “We are not embarking on this journey alone, Nigeria is a member of the Green Hydrogen Alliance a coalition of countries committed to developing green hydrogen technologies and accelerating their adoption globally.
“This membership provides Nigeria with access to cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and investment opportunities, enabling us to collaborate on global best practices and position ourselves as a leader in the hydrogen economy.
“As a member of this alliance, Nigeria is focused on fostering partnerships that drive innovation in green hydrogen production, infrastructure development, and the creation of hydrogen valleys across the nation,” Dr Salako said.
The Minister further stressed that Green hydrogen is not just an energy solution, but a pathway to a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future for all Nigerians.
“This green hydrogen initiative is aligned with our broader climate goals, particularly Nigeria’s commitment under the Paris Agreement and our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to voluntarily cut emissions by 20% by 2030 compared to a business as usual scenario.
“As we move forward, it is crucial that all stakeholders, government, private sector, academia, and civil society continue to work together to turn this vision into reality, ” the Minister explained.
Dr Salako also noted that Nigeria has vast renewable energy possibilities, particularly in solar power, with an average of 11 hours of sunlight daily.
“According to International Renewable Energy Agency, the concentrated solar power potential for Nigeria is approximately 88.7GW, 3.2 GW for wind, 24GW for large hydro and 3.5GW for small hydro. This gives us the capacity to produce green hydrogen on a large scale, both for domestic use and export,” he stated.
Dr Salako said that Nigeria’s participation in projects like International Hydrogen Ramp-Up Program (H2Uppp), supported by the German government, has helped Nigeria identify strategic locations for green hydrogen production and assess the technology readiness, environmental impacts, and economic feasibility of hydrogen projects across the country.
“In collaboration with international partners like the German government, the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office has conducted several pivotal studies. These studies assess the potential for green hydrogen production in Nigeria and explore its application in key sectors such as transportation, industry, and power generation. They also highlight the importance of establishing hydrogen valleys; regions where hydrogen technologies are clustered to create a thriving green hydrogen economy, paving the Way for a Sustainable Energy Future and Nigeria’s Roadmap to a Hydrogen Economy,” he explained.
Dr Salako said the government of President Bola Tinubu would continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to create the enabling environment to ensure that clean energy source becomes a significant part of the country’s energy mix, driving job creation, poverty eradication, economic growth and environmental health.
He said; “The Nigerian Government, in alignment with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), recognizes that our nation stands at a critical juncture where we must transition to cleaner energy sources in a just and equitable manner.
“With 45% of the population of Nigeria lacking access to the national electricity grid and more 50% of our households energy poor, green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy from abundant resources such as solar and wind, offers a significant opportunity for Nigeria to not only diversify its energy supply but also lead in the global decarbonization effort.”
As a clean energy source, green hydrogen has the potential to reduce Nigeria’s carbon emissions significantly, especially in sectors like power generation, transportation, and manufacturing.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
Oyenike Oyeniyi
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