By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria is planning to develop a hydrogen policy for the country that will provide opportunities for entrepreneurs in the energy industry as well as encourage the diversification of the country’s energy potential.
According to a statement by Mrs Osagie Jacobs Julie, Director of Information and Public Relations, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu disclosed this during a meeting on the development of a strategic framework and implementation plan for the National Hydrogen Policy between the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office (GIZ) and other Stakeholders.
The Minister while appreciating the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbit (GIZ) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) over the years, reiterated that the role of the Ministry was to ensure the policies of development partners aligns or is consistent with the development plans of the country.
He was optimistic that the policy should be ready by the end of February 2025.
Dr. Markus Wargner Country Director of GIZ explained that the GIZ was a German private company that was fully state owned and is interested in the development of a Hydrogen policy that will ensure a sustainable and environmentally friendly future in addition to shaping policy, investments and fostering partnerships that will propel Nigeria towards achieving its energy transition and de-carbonization objectives.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emeka Vitalis Obi, in his welcome remarks, pointed out that the development of a hydrogen policy required a multi-sectoral approach as relevant stakeholders such as energy, transportation, industry, environment amongst others, hence the need for the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to coordinate the Hydrogen policy framework.
He assured that the Ministry as the coordinating body for policy and development assistance will continue to provide its supervisory role in the implementation of projects in the country.
A presentation on the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office (H2-Decarbonization diplomacy) and the roadmap for the hydrogen policy was made by the GIZ.
Several stakeholders from the Ministries of Environment, Petroleum Resources, Innovation, Science and Technology, Power, Energy Transition Office, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Climate Change, NNPC, UNIDO were present at the meeting.
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