By Monsurat Abisoye
The Federal Government has commenced discussions with the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to develop Nigeria’s hydrogen energy sector and attract greater investment in renewable energy.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the talks focused on hydrogen development initiatives, Nigeria’s renewable energy expansion plans, and opportunities for collaboration between the government and the two international organisations.
As part of the engagement, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, joined officials of IHFCA, investors and industry leaders on a visit to EMT Madrid in Spain, where they toured one of Europe’s leading green hydrogen facilities.
The nearly 50,000-square-metre facility, recognised as Europe’s first municipal hydrogen bus plant, manages the entire hydrogen value chain, including production, compression, storage and distribution. Powered by 2,780 solar panels, the facility produces green hydrogen through water electrolysis and can refuel a hydrogen-powered city bus in less than 10 minutes.
Built by Spanish engineering companies with support from the European Union at a cost of more than €17.2 million, the project currently supplies fuel to 10 hydrogen-powered buses operating in Madrid.
Bagudu also participated in a high-level international dialogue involving government officials, investors, standards organisations and project developers. Discussions centred on practical measures to move beyond policy frameworks towards implementing large-scale hydrogen projects through stronger international cooperation, investment and supporting industries.
Participants stressed that collaboration is essential to accelerating the global transition to clean energy and building sustainable hydrogen ecosystems that promote economic growth and environmental protection.
The conference was organised by the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association, a non-profit academic organisation established by businesses, research institutions and industry groups across the hydrogen value chain. Registered in July 2022 under the supervision of the China Association for Science and Technology, the association is headquartered in Beijing and promotes global cooperation, research and innovation in hydrogen technology.