The Federal Government has set 2060 as the target for Nigeria to build a power system driven largely by solar energy and storage, with green hydrogen expected to provide backup power and help reduce carbon emissions in heavy industries.
The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, disclosed this at the second International Green Hydrogen Summit held at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, on Saturday.

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,” the Director General said that the country had significant renewable energy resources but needed innovation and stronger collaboration between government, academia and industry to harness them.

He noted that solar radiation in parts of the North-West, particularly Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, ranged between 6.0 and 7.0 kilowatt-hours per square metre daily, presenting considerable opportunities for solar power generation.

Abdullahi added that Nigeria also has vast hydropower resources, wind potential in parts of the North and abundant biomass, but its installed renewable energy capacity stood at about 2,638 megawatts in 2024.

He said that the gap between the country’s renewable energy potential and its existing capacity underscored the need for investment in research, technology development and infrastructure.

He disclosed that the commission was implementing a solarisation programme for public facilities, particularly in the health and education sectors, while its six energy research centres across the geopolitical zones were expected to strengthen research and innovation.

He, however, identified dependence on imported solar modules, inverters and batteries, inadequate grid infrastructure, shortages of skilled personnel, substandard equipment and limited access to finance as challenges confronting the sector.

The DG stressed the need for local manufacturing, improved grid integration, quality standards and innovative financing models, saying
that addressing the challenges would require more than laboratory inventions.

On green hydrogen, Abdullahi said that electricity accounted for between 60 and 80 per cent of its production cost, making affordable renewable energy crucial to the commercial viability of the emerging technology.

He added that about 1,583 megawatts of underutilised hydropower capacity could complement variable solar generation and support the development of green hydrogen.

Abdullahi also called for the 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, capacity building and education.

He urged universities and research institutions to collaborate with the commission on research and pilot projects, while calling on industries to invest in technologies that could reduce 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 crucial to developing Nigeria’s clean energy sector.

Dauda said that the company was working with industrial partners and the German development agency, GIZ, to establish a Green Energy Hub at ABUAD, beginning with a solar photovoltaic system to power the university and a hydrogen classroom for research and demonstration.

He described the proposed project as a potential first-of-its-kind initiative in Nigeria, adding that it would support training for researchers, lecturers and other professionals in hydrogen technology.

He explained that the project is designed to draw on lessons and expertise acquired through international collaboration and adapt them to Nigeria’s energy needs.

He said that the initiative would also promote curriculum development and knowledge-sharing, enabling other universities and institutions to replicate the model.

Dauda added that a subsequent phase could explore green ammonia production for fertiliser, potentially expanding the project’s contribution to agriculture and industrial development.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, called for stronger partnerships among government, academia and industry to translate scientific research into practical clean energy solutions.

Olarinde said that the transition required 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.