The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, has urged Nigeria to take a leading role in Africa’s emerging hydrogen economy, saying the country must harness its abundant renewable energy resources to secure a competitive position in the global clean energy transition.
Dr. Abdullahi made the call on Thursday while speaking at a high-level panel discussion during the NOG Energy Week at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja. He described hydrogen as a transformative energy solution that is already reshaping economies worldwide and stressed that Nigeria has the resources and strategic advantage to become a key player in the global hydrogen value chain.
The ECN Director-General disclosed that Nigeria is making significant progress toward developing a hydrogen economy through the country’s first-ever National Hydrogen Policy, currently being developed by the Presidential Committee on the National Hydrogen Policy. He added that the approval of the National Energy Master Plan by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 marked a major milestone by formally recognizing hydrogen as a strategic component of Nigeria’s long-term energy transition.
Highlighting the role of renewable energy in achieving the country’s hydrogen ambitions, Dr. Abdullahi said Nigeria’s vast solar resources provide a strong foundation for green hydrogen production, with the potential to boost energy security, attract investment, create jobs, drive industrial growth, and support sustainable economic development.
He reaffirmed the Energy Commission of Nigeria’s commitment to advancing policies, strategic partnerships, and innovative initiatives that will accelerate hydrogen development, strengthen Nigeria’s clean energy transition, and position the country as a leading force in Africa’s emerging hydrogen economy.
