By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria’s energy crisis, which has left 45% of its population without access to electricity and forced over half of its households into energy poverty, could be significantly alleviated through green hydrogen, according to Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Environment.
Speaking at the International Hydrogen Summit during the 12th convocation ceremony of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) on Monday, the minister emphasized that Nigeria’s vast renewable energy resources offer a pathway to diversify its energy supply and lead the charge toward global decarbonization.
Salako highlighted green hydrogen as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy future. “Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, making it a carbon-neutral fuel,” he said.
Unlike fossil fuels, green hydrogen emits no greenhouse gases, making it central to the country’s climate strategy aimed at reducing emissions and improving air quality.
With Nigeria’s abundant solar power potential—an estimated 11 hours of sunlight daily—the country is positioned to become a key player in the global green hydrogen economy.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, Nigeria has the capacity to generate approximately 88.7 GW of concentrated solar power, alongside significant wind and hydroelectric potential. These resources could allow Nigeria to produce green hydrogen on a large scale for both domestic use and export, Salako explained.
As a member of the Green Hydrogen Alliance, Nigeria is committed to accelerating the adoption of green hydrogen technologies globally. Salako noted that Nigeria’s involvement provides access to cutting-edge research and investment opportunities, positioning the country to collaborate on global best practices in hydrogen production and infrastructure development.
“Partnerships with international allies, such as the German government, have been pivotal in conducting studies to assess Nigeria’s green hydrogen potential,” he said, referencing the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office’s role in identifying key sectors for hydrogen use, including transportation, industry, and power generation.
These studies also explore the concept of creating “hydrogen valleys”—clusters of hydrogen production technologies—across Nigeria, which would boost the development of a sustainable green hydrogen economy.
Green hydrogen’s environmental benefits are clear, Salako stated, with the potential to reduce Nigeria’s carbon emissions in critical sectors. By decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, the shift to hydrogen could also improve public health and reduce harmful pollutants.
Nigeria’s green hydrogen initiative aligns with its broader climate commitments, including its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, which aim to cut emissions by 20% by 2030. Looking forward, the government envisions green hydrogen as a key tool in achieving its long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2060.
Salako concluded, “Green hydrogen offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to address its energy challenges while contributing to global climate efforts.
This is not only a solution for our energy needs but a crucial step in securing a sustainable future for generations to come.