By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The first German-Nigerian Symposium on Green Hydrogen, was held in Abuja on Thursday. Financed by the Federal Foreign Office and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Symposium was attended by distinguished members from the energy sector and high-level delegations from Nigeria and Germany.
In his welcome address, the Minister of Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu expressed gratitude for the existing cooperation between Germany and Nigeria in the framework of the energy partnership.
He said he looks forward to further cooperation, especially on renewable energy and hydrogen, adding that “Nigeria is keen on exploring the possibilities that the nascent hydrogen economy could create for our energy transition, and we are very interested in establishing a fruitful dialogue with Germany on this topic”.
In his goodwill message, the Director-General for Climate Diplomacy, Economic Affairs and Technology, German Federal Foreign Office, Mr Oliver Rentschler, said “The new chapter in our partnership will not only enhance the dialogue on green hydrogen, but will also intensify the economic relations and dialogue on the expansion of renewable energies between our countries”.
The Country Director, GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, Ms. Ina HOMMERS, in her remarks, emphasized the objective of the German – Nigerian Hydrogen Office:
“We are delighted to welcome you to the first public event of the Hydrogen Office, which aims to support Nigeria in exploring the potentials of green hydrogen and consequently foster the sustainable transformation of the country’s industry and economy”, she added.
The Minister of Environment, Alhaji Mohammed H Abdullahi, who was represented at the event, reminded the audience that “Green Hydrogen, as a low carbon fuel has been identified to
play a major role in the energy transition towards decarbonization and reducing the speed of global warming and meeting global climate targets like the Paris Agreement.”
In her closing remarks, the Head of the German-Nigerian Hydrogen office, Ms. Gina Lagunes said, “To ensure future economic stability, Nigeria, as a traditional fossil fuel exporting country with existing oil and gas infrastructure and know-how, can use this trend as a momentum to transition towards sustainable energy”.
She also pointed out that the tasks of the Hydrogen Office include, facilitating the political dialogue, engaging all relevant stakeholders in the conversation, capacity building and cooperating with the
private sector to empower companies to get involved in the new market for hydrogen and engaging all relevant stakeholders in the conversation, capacity building and cooperating with the private sector to empower companies to get involved in the new market for hydrogen and its derivatives.
L-R: Prof Sani Sambo, Former DG, ECN;
Ms. Ina Hommers, Country Director GIZ Nigeria; Ms. Cecile Tassin-Pelzer, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Nigeria; Mr. Martin Huth, Chargé d’affaires, German Embassy Abuja; Mr. Oliver Rentschler, DG for Climate Diplomacy, Economic Affairs and Technology, Federal Foreign Office Germany; Abubakar Aliyu; Minister of Power; Ms. Inibong Abiola Awe, Director Climate Change, FME; Mr. Seun Suleiman, MD Siemens Energy Nigeria; Ms. Katharina Felgenhauer, AHK Nigeria; Mr. Duke Benjamin, Sector Coordinator Energy and Climate, GIZ Nigeria; Dr. Sanusi Ohiare, ED, REA; Dr. Sabri Mekaoui, Programme Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria.
