A Professor of Petroleum and Gas Engineering at Nile University of Nigeria, Abdullahi Gimba has said the institution is developing a national hydrogen policy to guide Nigeria’s adoption and utilization of hydrogen energy, in collaboration with the government.
The aim, he said, is to position the country as a key player in the global hydrogen economy by promoting the adoption and use of hydrogen energy.
Prof. Gimba said the policy is expected to drive investment, industrial transformation, and job creation, while also encouraging the diversification of the country’s energy resources.
The Don who heads the Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, stated this at the institution’s fourth inaugural lecture in Abuja.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Empowering Society: The engineer’s mandate to innovate in a disruptive world’, he highlighted the crucial role engineers play in driving innovation and shaping the future, particularly in a rapidly changing world marked by disruption and technological advancements.
Prof. Gimba emphasized the importance of engineers in developing solutions to pressing societal challenges, improving quality of life, and fostering sustainable development.
“I attended the first international conference on hydrogen, I think in February where I represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dilli Dogo. And we realized that Nigeria does not have a national policy on hydrogen. And hydrogen is becoming a key player in the energy sector. So we want to lead that research towards producing a policy that will guide the use of hydrogen in Nigeria,” he said.
In his lecture, he explored how reservoir engineering advancements, sustainable energy solutions and innovations can drive Nigeria’s and Africa’s energy transition and economic renewal.
He underscored the imperative of educational reform, embedding sustainability, entrepreneurial thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
According to the academic, the engineer of tomorrow must embody technical proficiency, ethical clarity and strategic vision, prepared to navigate and lead through complexities with compassion, creativity, and unwavering commitment.
The inaugural lecturer also revealed that Nile University of Nigeria has successfully patented an ink derived from renewable energy sources, showcasing the institution’s innovative capabilities.
Prof. Gimba also stressed the profound importance of bridging academia, industry, and policy, noting that “We must cultivate collaborative ecosystems where research excellence meets industrial relevance and policy foresight, turning scholarly insights into tangible impacts”.
He added: “As we bring this inaugural lecture to its thoughtful conclusion, let us pause to reflect deeply on the profound responsibilities and extraordinary opportunities that lie before us.
“We stand today at an unprecedented juncture – an era defined by accelerating energy transitions, existential climate challenges, pervasive digital transformations, and complex societal dynamics. These disruptions are neither transient nor peripheral; they are structural and central to our collective future. In this context, engineering innovation is not merely beneficial; it is indispensable. Our calling as engineers, educators, and leaders is unequivocally clear: to innovate courageously, responsibly, and purposefully, transforming disruption into a catalyst for sustainable development, inclusive prosperity, and lasting societal impact”.
On his part, Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Dilli Dogo, highlighted the university’s commitment to innovation, research, and development.
The V-C who lauded the inaugural lecturer for his outstanding contribution to the field and his innovative research, highlighted the significance of the lecture and its relevance to the university’s mission.
He emphasised the potential impact of the patented ink and hydrogen policy on Nigeria’s technological advancement and sustainable development.
