In a bold move to reposition Nigeria for the global clean energy revolution and reduce its dependence on crude oil revenues, the Federal Government on Tuesday validated the country’s National Hydrogen Policy, a landmark framework expected to drive investment, industrialisation, job creation and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
The validation of the policy marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to become a leading producer of hydrogen in Africa and an active player in the rapidly expanding global hydrogen market, which experts believe will be central to achieving net-zero carbon emissions and powering future industries.
The policy, developed after about 18 months of consultations involving government institutions, development partners, regulators, academia and the private sector, will now be forwarded to the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval before implementation begins.
Stakeholders at the National Hydrogen Policy Validation Workshop in Abuja described the document as a strategic roadmap that could redefine Nigeria’s energy future by leveraging the country’s vast natural gas reserves and renewable energy resources to produce both blue and green hydrogen.
The workshop brought together officials from the Federal Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, Petroleum Resources and Environment, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), ECOWAS, GIZ Nigeria, industry experts and development partners.
Participants unanimously agreed that hydrogen presents Nigeria with a rare opportunity to diversify its economy, strengthen energy security, create new industrial value chains and position the country as a major supplier of clean energy to regional and international markets.
Speaking at the workshop, the Cluster Coordinator for Just Transition and Inclusion at GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS, Jochen Rudolf, described the validation exercise as the beginning of a long-term national journey rather than the end of a policy development process.
According to him, hydrogen technologies and global markets are evolving rapidly, making it necessary for governments to adopt flexible policies capable of responding to changing realities.
He cited Germany’s experience, noting that the European nation adopted its first National Hydrogen Strategy in 2020 and has since revised it twice to reflect emerging technological and market developments.
“Today, we are not closing a chapter; we are laying a solid foundation that gives Nigeria’s hydrogen sector a credible start while leaving room for future growth and adaptation,” Rudolf said.
He reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy transition agenda through GIZ and highlighted the long history of bilateral energy cooperation between both countries.
According to Rudolf, the partnership dates back to 1974 and has expanded significantly over the years with initiatives such as the German-Nigerian Energy Partnership launched in 2008 and the establishment of the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office in 2021.
He noted that hydrogen is increasingly being recognised globally as a critical energy carrier capable of decarbonising sectors that are difficult to electrify, including steel production, cement manufacturing, shipping, aviation and heavy industrial processes.
He said the validated policy would provide Nigeria with the framework needed to attract investment, improve industrial competitiveness and utilise its natural resources more efficiently while contributing to global climate action.
Representing both the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Kayode Mariam, a member of the National Hydrogen Committee, described the validation as another important milestone in Nigeria’s drive towards building a competitive hydrogen economy.
She explained that work on the policy began about 18 months ago because hydrogen development cuts across multiple sectors and therefore required broad consultation among ministries, departments and agencies.
Mariam said the policy aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, particularly efforts to diversify the economy beyond oil and gas revenues and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
“We all know that one of the priorities of the current administration is to diversify the economy and create jobs for young people. Hydrogen offers enormous potential to achieve economic diversification, attract foreign investment and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness globally,” she said.
She added that the policy is expected to provide investors with greater confidence by outlining clear national priorities and implementation strategies for hydrogen development.
The Federal Ministry of Environment also threw its weight behind the initiative, describing hydrogen as a critical component of Nigeria’s climate response strategy.
