FG launches clean hydrogen initiative

Nigeria has launched a clean hydrogen initiative to tap into rising global demand for zero-carbon energy and position itself as a key player in the hydrogen value chain.

The project targets both sustainable development and environmental protection, laying groundwork for hydrogen production, export, and domestic use.

The government explains that the move aligns with Nigeria’s push to diversify energy sources and meet climate goals while creating new industrial opportunities.

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Unveiled at the inaugural meeting of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the Nigeria Child Project under the Global Clean Hydrogen Programme in Abuja, the initiative positions Nigeria among a select group of developing nations preparing to harness green hydrogen as a catalyst for industrial competitiveness and climate action.

At the launch, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, explains that the project marks the official operational take-off of Nigeria’s clean hydrogen roadmap and underscores the country’s determination to play a leading role in the global energy transition.

According to him, hydrogen has been identified as a strategic component of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan and other national energy policies, with projections showing the resource contributing significantly to electricity generation and renewable energy growth from 2040 onward.

Green hydrogen, he said, offers Nigeria a unique opportunity to decarbonise energy-intensive industries such as manufacturing, steel and chemical production while creating new economic opportunities, attracting investments and generating high-skilled jobs.

He emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting energy diversification, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and supporting long-term industrialization.

Abdullahi said Nigeria now possesses the political will, technical expertise and international support needed to unlock the immense potential of clean hydrogen.

Speaking, UNIDO Country Representative, Amb. Philbert Johnson, said the Nigeria Child Project forms part of a wider Global Clean Hydrogen Programme covering nine developing countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

He explained that the five-year initiative, scheduled to run between June 2026 and December 2029, seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s institutional capacity, establish enabling policies and improve technological readiness for green hydrogen deployment.

Johnson said the programme targets hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry and transportation, which account for a significant share of global carbon emissions.

He disclosed that the project would focus on developing a national hydrogen policy and regulatory framework, identifying priority sectors for hydrogen adoption, supporting industrial clusters and pilot projects, promoting knowledge sharing and enhancing monitoring and evaluation systems.

He added that the initiative is expected to directly benefit about 1,250 Nigerians, particularly women and youths, while fostering innovation and building local expertise in emerging clean energy technologies.

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