FG Explains New Hydrogen Development Agenda

LAGOS – The Federal Government, has unveiled new hydrogen development agenda.

Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasised the need for  immense potential of both Blue and Green hydrogen in Nigeria, citing the country’s abundant natural resources, strategic geographic position, and potential for industrial transformation and global leadership in the clean energy revolution.

He spoke at the inception meeting with stakeholders for the development of the hydrogen policy.

He explained that the new policy will chart a definitive course for integrating hydrogen into the country’s energy mix, while positioning Nigeria as a significant player in the global hydrogen economy,” he said.

The gas minister also called for cross-sectoral collaboration to come up with a policy stressing that a National Hydrogen Policy presents Nigeria with substantial opportunities across economic, environmental, and social dimensions.

He emphasised the economic benefits of Nigeria’s hydrogen development agenda, including diversification of revenue streams, job creation, attraction of investments, and industrial growth.

Accordingly to him, hydrogen can create new industries, generate employment opportunities, and attract local and foreign investments, thereby boosting the economic growth of the country.

He also stressed the environmental sustainability of hydrogen, noting that it supports Nigeria’s decarbonization goals and contributes to global climate change mitigation efforts. 

Ekpo, also highlighted the infrastructure development benefits, including the leveraging of existing gas infrastructure to facilitate hydrogen production and distribution.

He noted that developing hydrogen infrastructure will foster advancements in Energy Storage, Fuel Cells, and Transportation Systems, ultimately driving Nigeria’s economic growth and sustainability.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to supporting the delivery of the national hydrogen policy.

There is an urgent need to evolve a hydrogen policy that not only serves Nigeria’s interests but also aligns with the country’s national development policy, energy policy, and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration,he said.

He implored all stakeholders to work together to generate a policy that Nigeria can be proud of.

Joshua Garba, representing the Country Director for GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) commended Ekpo and Bagudu for spearheading the development of a unified national hydrogen policy for the country. Garba pledged GIZ’s continued support in partnering with the Federal Government to unlock the potential of hydrogen energy, emphasizing its importance for decarbonization.

He noted that countries worldwide are producing hydrogen for global supply, and said Nigeria’s move to develop a hydrogen policy was a welcome development.