The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, has signed an agreement with the Foundation for Sustainable Social Responsibility in Emerging Africa (FOSSREA) to develop hydrogen as a key fuel.
At the signing ceremony in Abuja, FOSSREA Chairman, Mr. Aliu Hydar Mijinyawa, highlighted the global importance of hydrogen.
“Hydrogen is a key fuel of the future that will be used not only in Nigeria but globally,” he stated.
Mijinyawa noted that many African countries have advanced in hydrogen deployment, attracting substantial investments.
He emphasized, “We also are in the thick of things in the hydrogen economy. This informed our decision to venture into this and inform the Ministry on this important project.”
Mijinyawa explained that FOSSREA aims to provide a platform for Nigerians, both domestically and abroad, to contribute to national development across various sectors.
“One key sector we found important that will be beneficial to the country is the energy sector. In the energy sector, we felt that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources should be at the forefront of driving this,” he noted.
He stressed the importance of private sector collaboration and the potential benefits of the partnership for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He expressed gratitude to Ministry officials for their dedication to the project and looked forward to continued cooperation.
“It will be a herculean task but with the cooperation of the officials of the Ministry and other stakeholders, we are confident that God will bless this effort and we will achieve our objective,” Mijinyawa stated.
In response, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, called the agreement a turning point for Nigeria’s engagement with hydrogen.
“We now have a focal point that we can relate with when it comes to hydrogen matters,” he said.
Ella recounted his initial meetings with German Embassy officials, which highlighted hydrogen as the future of energy. He felt there was a disconnect that needed addressing and expressed that signing the agreement was a “dream come true.”
Ella stressed the importance of FOSSREA’s involvement, noting that the Ministry would liaise with FOSSREA through a Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
He urged FOSSREA to use the Public-Private Partnership platform to propel Nigeria into the hydrogen space.
“We can research, harmonize, and exchange ideas that will benefit Nigeria. Hydrogen being the fuel of the future is revolutionizing activities in many spaces and climes, and Nigeria cannot be left behind,” he added.
Ella thanked FOSSREA for their efforts in advancing hydrogen development in Nigeria and expressed a desire for ongoing collaboration in research and capacity building.
“As we go about this responsibility, we will be calling upon you from time to time to share your research works, knowledge, and expertise with our own officers. We want to go hand in hand with you in training and in developing the capacities of the officers in this sphere,” he stated.
The ceremony, attended by Ministry directors, senior officials, and members of the FOSSREA delegation, concluded with the signing of the agreement documents.
