NetZero: FG Backs Carbon Emissions Reduction, Seeks Development of Green Hydrogen

•Supports deployment of new energy source in fertiliser production

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The federal government yesterday said that reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimising greenhouse gas emissions by the deployment of green hydrogen can help safeguard the environment and ensure food security for future generations.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, who made the remark at the kick-off meeting and stakeholders’ interaction on the Nigeria 4H2 project, stated that exploring green hydrogen potential is one of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda.

The workshop was themed: “A Critical Analysis of the Potential, Infrastructure and Other Enabling Framework Conditions for Green Hydrogen to Fertiliser Production in Nigeria.”

Sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the 4H2 programme has as partners, the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) as well as selected universities in Nigeria. The conference was convened by Cognity Advisory.

Stressing that the stakeholders’ meeting was to discuss a common pathway to exploiting Nigeria’s well-established potential to produce green hydrogen, Nnaji stated that there had never been a better time than now for the project to commence.

He explained that green hydrogen results from splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated from renewable sources.

According to the minister, it also offers excellent potential to address the detrimental impacts of climate change occasioned by the release of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels into the environment.

Besides, he noted that it can serve as a viable and sustainable pathway for alternative energy generation, industrial development, environmentally friendly transport fuel, methanol production, fertiliser production, among other economic uses.

“The global demand for hydrogen will likely climax at about 700 million metric tons (MT) by the year 2050, with annual hydrogen production projected to increase by 9.2 per cent annually until 2030.

“ Therefore, there is no better time for Nigeria to plug into this opportunity to avoid playing catch-up with the Western world. As a country, Nigeria must play a critical and leading role in the global energy transition.

“Nigeria enjoys abundant sunshine, with an average of 11 hours of sun daily. Hence, Nigeria has immense solar radiation potential to power electrolysers for hydrogen production. This potential makes Nigeria a critical stakeholder in the world energy transition.

“The application of green hydrogen in fertiliser production is fast gaining attention globally. Ammonia, made from hydrogen, is also an input in urea fertiliser. This opportunity presents a significant step towards sustainable agriculture,” Nnaji emphasised.

Also speaking, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions necessitates an innovative mindset.

Urging participants not to overlook the symbiotic relationship between the new endeavours and the existing oil and gas sector, he explained that Nigeria has embraced its gas resources as  transition fuel.

“While we continue to harness our gas resources, we remain open to exploring opportunities in hydrogen. Nigeria, endowed with rich oil and gas resources, occupies a unique position to leverage its expertise and infrastructure in transitioning towards our hydrogen potential.

“This prospect for synergy between conventional and sustainable energy is vast, and we must seize this opportunity to diversify our energy portfolio,” Ekpo who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Nicholas Agbo, stated.

He told the stakeholders to explore the delicate balance between maintaining the resilience of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and fostering the growth of green technologies.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of WASCAL, Prof. Kehinde Ogunjobi, said the mandate of the group is combating climate change, land use and promoting sustainable green hydrogen.

“As we confront the challenges posed by climate change and the need for energy transition, the exploration of alternative and environmentally friendly solutions becomes imperative. And Nigeria, a nation blessed with abundant natural resources, has reached a pivotal juncture in its quest for sustainable development,” he said.

Also, Cognity Advisory’s Chief Executive, Prof Tope Toogun, said the kick-off meeting was proof of commitment to inclusivity and collaboration.

He added that the study will, among others, allow the stakeholders scrutinise the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the transition toward green hydrogen-based fertiliser manufacturing in Nigeria.