Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has taken a bold step to position Nigeria as a key player in the global hydrogen economy, unveiling plans to develop a National Hydrogen Policy that will drive investment, industrial transformation, and job creation.
The move comes as global energy analysts, including BloombergNEF and McKinsey, project that the hydrogen economy could be worth between $500 billion and $1 trillion by 2050, driven by rising demand for cleaner energy alternatives.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, at the inception meeting with stakeholders for the policy development, said Nigeria is well-positioned to leverage its abundant natural gas resources and strategic location to become a major supplier of blue and green hydrogen to global markets.
“This policy will chart a definitive course for integrating hydrogen into our energy mix while positioning Nigeria as a significant player in the global hydrogen economy,” Ekpo said.
He emphasized that hydrogen development presents substantial opportunities across economic, environmental, and social dimensions. According to him, it will diversify revenue streams, create jobs, attract local and foreign investments, and drive industrial growth.
The Minister also noted that hydrogen would support Nigeria’s decarbonization goals and contribute to global climate change mitigation efforts.
Additionally, he highlighted its infrastructure benefits, explaining that Nigeria could leverage its existing gas infrastructure to facilitate hydrogen production and distribution, thereby enhancing energy storage, fuel cells, and transportation systems.
Similarly, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to developing a policy that aligns with Nigeria’s national development goals, energy transition objectives, and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
“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,” Bagudu said.
He called on all stakeholders to work together to develop a policy that ensures Nigeria becomes a competitive player in the global hydrogen economy.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Joshua Garba, representing the Country Director for GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation), commended Ministers Ekpo and Bagudu for spearheading the development of a unified national hydrogen policy.
“Nigeria is taking the right steps at the right time. Countries around the world are advancing hydrogen production for global supply, and Nigeria must position itself to take advantage of this emerging market,” Garba said.
He pledged GIZ’s continued support in partnering with the Federal Government to unlock the potential of hydrogen energy, emphasizing its importance for decarbonization and sustainable development.
The hydrogen policy framework is expected to establish a roadmap for production, distribution, and export while leveraging Nigeria’s existing energy assets to ensure a seamless transition into the global hydrogen market.
