Navigating the Future of Offshore Energy: Expert Insights from Chidi Ezenwe on Hydrogen Infrastructure and Carbon Capture

Salami Adeyinka

As Nigeria grapples with balancing its role as Africa’s largest oil producer with rising global demands for cleaner energy, a new conversation is taking shape offshore. Engineers and policymakers are turning their attention to hydrogen and carbon capture, technologies that could redefine the nation’s energy landscape. Among those leading this conversation is Chidi Ezenwe, a Nigerian subsea engineering leader who has spent years at the intersection of deepwater operations and cutting-edge innovation.

With global climate targets tightening and investors demanding cleaner strategies, Nigeria’s offshore energy sector faces mounting pressure to adapt. For Chidi Ezenwe, the path forward lies in integrating innovation with hard-won engineering experience. “The future of offshore energy rests on our ability to integrate cutting-edge technologies with proven engineering principles,” he says. To him, hydrogen production combined with carbon capture is not a distant aspiration but a necessary step. “This integration is a game-changing opportunity for enhancing national energy security, modernizing infrastructure, and ensuring Nigeria remains competitive in a changing global market.”

Ezenwe’s perspective is considered valuable. Having managed subsea projects across Nigeria and Europe, he understands both the promise and the challenges. He insists that innovation cannot come at the expense of safety or discipline. “Success is not just about ideas. It hinges on meticulous execution and strict adherence to global standards. Every component from design through commissioning must meet the highest levels of reliability to withstand the realities of deepwater environments.”

According to the International Energy Agency, hydrogen could meet up to 24 percent of global energy demand by 2050 if supported by robust infrastructure. The World Economic Forum highlights that integrating carbon capture with hydrogen can reduce industrial emissions by up to 90 percent. For Nigeria, where oil still contributes the bulk of export earnings, the message is clear: energy transition is no longer optional; it is essential.

But Ezenwe is quick to stress that technology alone is not enough. “The modernization of offshore energy benefits from collaborative approaches rather than isolated efforts,” he says. “Cross-sector partnerships, strong policy frameworks, and forward-looking investments are the real catalysts. Engineers can design systems, but without government support and regulatory alignment, the impact will remain limited.”

That collaboration, he argues, should also extend across borders. As global demand shifts, Nigeria must position itself not only as an exporter of crude but also as a leader in sustainable offshore energy. “Stakeholder collaboration makes industry-wide knowledge transfer possible,” Ezenwe adds. “It reduces risks and accelerates progress toward a cleaner energy future.”

Looking ahead, he envisions a sector where offshore platforms are no longer seen merely as oil rigs, but as hubs of clean energy production, producing hydrogen, capturing carbon, and strengthening the economy. “Innovation coupled with steadfast engineering principles will pave the way for a sustainable future,” he reflects. “If we get this right, Nigeria can protect its environment, attract investment, and secure its place in the next chapter of global energy.”
For Nigeria, hydrogen and carbon capture are no longer distant possibilities but urgent necessities. As Chidi Ezenwe points out, success will depend on strategic policy, strategic investment, and collaboration across sectors. The opportunity is clear: move beyond dependence on crude oil and position the nation as a leader in tomorrow’s cleaner, more secure energy future.