By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office is hosting a symposium on Green Hydrogen aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange, foster collaboration, and explore opportunities in the low-carbon hydrogen sector between the two countries.
The symposium which is financed by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, was held in Abuja on Monday.
In her welcome address, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Annett Günther, stated that, “Germany and Nigeria are both committed to driving the production and use of hydrogen”.
She noted that the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz’ recent visit to Nigeria, highlighted that the energy partnership between both nations is not only about traditional fossil fuels but also about hydrogen, the gas of the future.
The Country Director, GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, Dr. Markus Wagner, in his remarks stated that, “it is crucial to recognise that green hydrogen has the potential to revolutionise our energy landscape. It offers a path to reducing carbon emissions, diversifying energy sources, and boosting economic growth”.
He added that, “Nigeria and Germany share a long and fruitful history of cooperation in the energy sector and GIZ has been an active partner in this journey, working alongside Nigerian institutions and partners to drive positive change”.
Reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to implementing its Energy Transition Plan, the Minister of Power, Adedayo Adelabu, emphasized the important role green hydrogen will play in boosting the expansion of renewable energies in the country and its potential impact on power generation.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management, Dr. Iziak Salaco, expressed gratitude for the existing cooperation between Germany and Nigeria through the activities of the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office.
He pointed out recognised that Nigeria’s planned accession to the African Green Hydrogen Alliance will enhance regional cooperation that will contribute to Nigeria’s efforts to meet its Net Zero targets.
In his keynote address focused on the ECOWAS Hydrogen Policy, Mr. Jean Francis Sempore, Executive Director, ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, buttressed the need for regional cooperation that will position the ECOWAS region as one of the most competitive producers and suppliers of green hydrogen.
The presentation was followed by panel discussions which served as a platform for experts in the sector to share their thoughts on low-carbon hydrogen as a building block for a just transition in Nigeria, and the role of private sector as a key player in the energy transition.
Discussions during the event also brought to the fore the need for creating a national hydrogen strategy that will guide the implementation of existing policy and regulatory frameworks hydrogen market development.
In her closing remarks, the Head of the German – Nigerian Hydrogen Office, Ms. Gina LAGUNES, further reiterated the Hydrogen Office’s continued commitment towards supporting the creation of an enabling environment for low-carbon hydrogen in Nigeria and developing capacity of academia, civil society as well as public and private sector.
