The Federal Government has set 2060 as its target for a cleaner energy system driven mainly by solar power and storage, with green hydrogen expected to support backup electricity and reduce emissions from heavy industries.
The Federal Government has set 2060 as the target for Nigeria to transition towards a cleaner energy system powered largely by solar energy and storage, with green hydrogen expected to provide backup electricity and help reduce carbon emissions from heavy industries.
The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, disclosed this on Friday at the second International Green Hydrogen Summit held at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Abdullahi, who was represented by Bolaji Sulu-Ibrahim, said Nigeria needed to accelerate investment in renewable energy technologies, scientific research and local manufacturing to achieve the target.
Speaking on the theme, “Nigeria’s Pathway to Clean Energy: The Science, Policy and Industry Nexus,” he said the country had substantial renewable energy resources but required innovation and stronger collaboration among government, academic institutions and industry to harness them effectively.
He cited solar radiation levels in parts of the North-West, particularly Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, which range between 6.0 and 7.0 kilowatt-hours per square metre daily, as evidence of the region’s potential for solar power generation.
According to him, Nigeria also has considerable hydropower resources, wind potential in parts of the North and abundant biomass. However, the country’s installed renewable energy capacity stood at approximately 2,638 megawatts in 2024.
He said the gap between the country’s renewable energy potential and its existing capacity highlighted the need for increased investment in research, technology development and infrastructure.
Abdullahi disclosed that the commission was implementing a solarisation programme for public facilities, particularly in the health and education sectors. He added that its six energy research centres across the geopolitical zones were expected to strengthen research and innovation.
He, however, identified reliance on imported solar modules, inverters and batteries, inadequate electricity grid infrastructure, shortages of skilled workers, substandard equipment and limited access to finance as major challenges facing the sector.
He called for local manufacturing, better grid integration, stronger quality standards and innovative financing models, stressing that the transition required more than laboratory inventions.
On green hydrogen, Abdullahi said electricity accounted for between 60 and 80 per cent of production costs, making affordable renewable energy essential to the technology’s commercial viability.
He added that about 1,583 megawatts of underutilised hydropower capacity could complement variable solar generation and support green hydrogen development.
The Energy Commission director-general also called for accelerated approval of the draft National Hydrogen Policy, the establishment of a National Hydrogen Council and the development of a national framework for hydrogen research, education and capacity building.
He urged universities and research institutions to work with the commission on research and pilot projects, while encouraging industries to invest in technologies capable of reducing emissions from fertiliser production, refining, cement and steel manufacturing.
The Chief Executive Officer of CrossAfrique Hydrogen Limited, Netherlands, Joshua Dauda, said collaboration among universities, industries and international partners was critical to developing Nigeria’s clean energy sector.
Dauda said the company was working with industrial partners and the German development agency, GIZ, to establish a Green Energy Hub at Afe Babalola University, beginning with a solar photovoltaic system to power the institution and a hydrogen classroom for research and demonstration.
He described the proposed project as a potentially first-of-its-kind initiative in Nigeria, saying it would provide training opportunities for researchers, lecturers and other professionals in hydrogen technology.
According to him, the project would draw on knowledge and experience gained through international partnerships and adapt them to Nigeria’s energy needs.
He said the initiative would also support curriculum development and knowledge-sharing, allowing other universities and institutions to replicate the model.
Dauda added that a subsequent phase could explore green ammonia production for fertiliser, potentially extending the project’s benefits to agriculture and industrial development.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Professor E. Smaranda Olarinde, called for stronger partnerships among government, academia and industry to translate scientific research into practical clean energy solutions.
Olarinde said the transition would require sustained investment in research, effective policies, industrial innovation and the development of skilled workers.
She urged participants to ensure that the summit produced practical solutions and lasting partnerships capable of advancing Nigeria’s clean energy ambitions.