Nigeria signs pact on hydrogen energy development
Adewale Akintaro
As part of measures to deepen clean energy, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, has signed a pivotal agreement with the Foundation for Sustainable Social Responsibility in Emerging Africa, FOSSREA, to develop hydrogen energy in the country.
The agreement, which is to cement collaboration between the ministry and FOSSREA, is meant to drive the development and investment in hydrogen as a future fuel and position Nigeria as a key player in the global hydrogen economy.
According to the chairman of FOSSREA, Aliu Hydar Mijinyawa, hydrogen is a key fuel of the future globally, as many countries around the world already had gone very far in deploying hydrogen and were enjoying millions of dollars of investment, hence Nigeria must put its foot forward.
Mijinyawa, at the agreement signing ceremony in Abuja, said FOSSREA was an organisation that was formed to provide a platform for Nigerians both within and outside Nigeria to give back to the country in various sectors.
He emphasised the need for the country to leverage on the opportunity to attract investors and build a strong hydrogen economy, noting that experts within and outside Nigeria would be consulted to share their expertise, knowledge and to brainstorm on how to lay the foundation of hydrogen in Nigeria.
Said he: “Hydrogen is the fuel of the future, and Nigeria must be at the forefront of its development. One key sector we found important that will be beneficial to the country is the energy sector. In the energy sector, we felt that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources should be at the forefront of driving this.
“We believe that it will be an avenue that will be of benefit to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It will go a long way in laying the foundation in attracting investors into the country and deploying the value chain of hydrogen to build a strong hydrogen economy.”
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella, described the agreement as a “turning point” in Nigeria’s engagement with hydrogen energy.
Ella expressed optimism that the partnership would revolutionize the country’s energy landscape and make Nigeria a force to be reckoned with in the global hydrogen industry.
“We now have a focal point that we can relate with when it comes to hydrogen matters. When I assumed office, hI met with the officials of the German Embassy and was briefed on how Germany has gone head-on with hydrogen, acknowledging it as the future fuel.
“It was against this backdrop that I felt there was a lacuna, that we were disconnected from these realities and that it was important that we find a helping hand, a shoulder that we can lean on and that can take the issue of hydrogen forward.
“We can research, harmonize, and exchange ideas that will benefit Nigeria. Hydrogen being the fuel of the future is revolutionizing activities in many spaces and climes and Nigeria can not be left behind,” Ella said.
