The Federal Government has intensified efforts to position Nigeria as a key player in the global renewable energy sector by exploring the adoption of hydrogen fuel to support industrial development and clean energy investments.
As part of the initiative, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, participated in a high-level international dialogue in China over the weekend, where global stakeholders discussed practical strategies for hydrogen deployment, cross-regional collaboration and ecosystem development.
The minister also held separate meetings with the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to explore opportunities for hydrogen development and investment in Nigeria.
During the visit, Bagudu toured EMT Madrid, a pioneering green hydrogen production and refuelling facility that showcases advanced hydrogen technology for public transportation.
According to a statement, EMT Madrid is Europe’s first municipal hydrogen bus facility, covering the complete green hydrogen value chain, including production, compression, storage and distribution.
The facility generates green hydrogen through water electrolysis powered by a solar energy system consisting of 2,780 solar panels, making the plant fully energy self-sufficient.
It also features high-pressure 350-bar hydrogen dispensers capable of fully refuelling a city bus in less than 10 minutes.
The statement noted that the facility, built entirely by Spanish engineering companies, received funding support from the European Union through an investment exceeding €17.2 million.
The hydrogen plant currently supplies fuel to a fleet of 10 hydrogen-powered buses serving residents of Madrid, demonstrating the commercial viability of hydrogen as a clean transportation fuel.
The international dialogue was organised by the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA), a global academic and non-profit organisation comprising enterprises, research institutions and industry stakeholders across the hydrogen value chain.
Established in July 2022, the association operates under the supervision of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), with its secretariat located in Beijing, China.
The Federal Government’s engagement with global hydrogen stakeholders underscores its commitment to expanding renewable energy investments, promoting industrial innovation and supporting Nigeria’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
