Nigeria's Ambitious Green Hydrogen Plan for Economic Growth
Key Ideas
- The Nigerian government aims to produce over four million tonnes of green ammonia annually by 2060 to transition to cleaner energy and enhance local fertiliser production.
- Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasizes the importance of investing in green hydrogen to diversify Nigeria's energy mix and create new economic opportunities.
- The Nigeria4H2 project, in collaboration with Nigerian universities and the German Government, explores the potential of green hydrogen in fertiliser production to reduce reliance on imported fertilisers and strengthen national food systems.
- The study suggests that Nigeria, with the right investments and infrastructure, can become a significant player in the global green economy, generating green ammonia to meet domestic fertiliser needs and create green jobs in the value chain.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has set ambitious targets to produce over four million tonnes of green ammonia annually by 2060 as part of its efforts to shift from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources and improve local fertiliser production. During the Nigeria for Hydrogen (Nigeria4H2) Stakeholders’ Workshop in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima advocated for investing in green hydrogen to diversify the country's energy mix and seize opportunities in the growing global green economy. He highlighted Nigeria's abundant sunlight and wind resources that can be utilized for green hydrogen production. The initiative aims to unlock Nigeria's potential in green hydrogen, offering a pathway to reduce carbon footprint and create economic growth.
The Nigeria4H2 project, in partnership with Nigerian universities and the German Government, focuses on using green hydrogen for fertiliser production, specifically through green ammonia. The project envisions Nigeria becoming a major player in the green economy by producing over four million tonnes of green ammonia annually by 2060. This production could significantly reduce dependency on imported fertilisers, support local farmers, strengthen food systems, and generate green jobs.
The study also recommends the development of a national green hydrogen strategy, investment in renewable infrastructure, domestic electrolyser production, and integration of green ammonia into Nigeria's fertiliser policy. By positioning itself as a key producer and exporter of green hydrogen, Nigeria aims to create a new revenue stream, reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, and attract foreign direct investment. The Energy Commission of Nigeria has developed a National Hydrogen Policy and Strategy to guide the country's low-carbon energy transition, showcasing a positive outlook towards green hydrogen and its potential economic and environmental benefits.