The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, has signed an agreement with the Foundation for Sustainable Social Responsibility in Emerging Africa (FOSSREA) for the development of hydrogen as a key future fuel.
The signing ceremony took place in Abuja, marking a significant step towards Nigeria’s involvement in the hydrogen economy.
Mr. Aliu Hydar Mijinyawa, Chairman of FOSSREA, highlighted the importance of hydrogen as a future fuel, not just for Nigeria but globally.
He noted that several countries, including some in Africa, have already made significant progress in deploying hydrogen and attracting substantial investments.
“Nigeria should be able to put its foot forward so that we also are in the thick of things of the hydrogen economy,” Mijinyawa stated.
FOSSREA, formed to provide a platform for Nigerians both within and outside the country to contribute to various sectors, has identified the energy sector as a crucial area for development.
Mijinyawa emphasized that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources should lead this initiative, with the private sector seeking partners to collaborate and advance the country’s energy sector.
Assuring the potential of this partnership, Mijinyawa expressed confidence in the expertise and knowledge available within and outside Nigeria to lay the foundation for hydrogen development in the country.
He stated that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s Renewed Hope Agenda and will attract investors, building a robust hydrogen economy.
The Chairman also expressed gratitude to the Ministry’s officials for their dedication to achieving this project.
He assured continued collaboration as the actual work begins post-signing, acknowledging the challenges ahead but expressing confidence in achieving the set objectives.
In his response, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, described the agreement as a turning point for Nigeria’s engagement in hydrogen matters.
“We now have a focal point that we can relate with when it comes to hydrogen matters,” he noted.
Ambassador Ella recounted a meeting with German Embassy officials who emphasized the future potential of hydrogen, revealing a gap in Nigeria’s current engagement with this energy source.
He expressed that partnering with FOSSREA helps bridge this gap and advances Nigeria’s position in the hydrogen sector.
Ella called the signing a “dream come true” and praised FOSSREA’s mission and objectives.
He stated that the Ministry, through a Local Organizing Committee, will continue to work closely with FOSSREA, leveraging the Public-Private Partnership model to propel the Ministry into the hydrogen space.
“This agreement marks a significant step in Nigeria’s journey towards sustainable and innovative energy solutions, positioning the country to benefit from the growing global hydrogen economy,” Ella added.
