Minister advocates production of green hydrogen as alternative energy source

Uche Nnaji, minister of science, technology and innovation, says there is a need for Nigeria to produce green hydrogen as a sustainable energy alternative. 

Nnaji spoke during a stakeholders interactive meeting on the Nigeria 4H2 (Nigeria for Hydrogen) project in Abuja on Tuesday.

Green hydrogen is a clean energy source that only emits water vapour and leaves no residue in the air, unlike coal and oil.

The minister said Nigeria must play a critical and leading role in the global energy transition.

He added that green hydrogen has the potential to address the impacts of climate change caused by the release of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels into the environment.

He said the country enjoys abundant sunshine, with an average of 11 hours of sun daily, adding that it has immense solar radiation potential to power electrolysers for hydrogen production.

Nnaji added that the ministry also intends to facilitate an environment for co-development of a national policy framework for green hydrogen by all stakeholders.

“Exploiting Nigeria’s green hydrogen potential is at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

“Therefore, there is no better time for the country to plug into this opportunity to avoid playing catch-up with the western world. This potential makes Nigeria a critical stakeholder in the world energy transition.

“The concerted efforts of scientists, engineers, policymakers, and industries are necessary to achieve the tall vision of a net zero carbon environment and sustainable agriculture.

“We must explore new sources and advance in science and technology.

“We are partnering with the consortia as a service ministry to connect all stakeholders in the hydrogen sector’s upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors.

“This will ensure the sector’s rapid, robust and all-inclusive development.

“I believe at the end of this meeting, all the stakeholders would have jointly identified, and situated the expected players in the emergent hydrogen industry value chain in Nigeria.”

Also speaking, Ekperikpe Ekpo, minister of state for petroleum resources, said Nigeria can leverage its expertise and infrastructure in transitioning to hydrogen.

Ekpo said the prospect for synergy between conventional and sustainable energy is vast, adding that the country must seize the opportunity to diversify its energy portfolio.

“Let us explore the delicate balance between maintaining the resilience of our oil and gas sector and fostering the growth of green technologies,” he said.

“I am dedicated to steering this transition with strategic policies that align with our national interest.

“Let us collectively pioneer a roadmap that not only ensures the sustainability of our energy sector but also positions the country as a key player in hydrogen technologies.”