The Federal Government has signed an Agreement on the development of hydrogen with the Foundation for Sustainable Social Responsibility in Emerging Africa (FOSSREA).
Deputy Director Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa in a statement says the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, describes the signing of the agreement as a turning point on Nigeria’s engagement on hydrogen matters and acknowledged it as the future fuel.
Ambassador Ella said his meeting with the German Embassy upon resumption of office revealed how far the country had advanced with hydrogen production and expressed optimism over the availability of a partner in fostering hydrogen development.
Ella stated that the need to engage FOSSREA on the conversation around hydrogen was paramount, noting that, going forward, the Ministry, through a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) would be liaising with FOSSREA.
He implored FOSSREA to use the platform of the Public Private Partnership to launch the Ministry to the hydrogen space.
“We can research, harmonize, and exchange ideas that will benefit Nigeria. Hydrogen being the fuel of the future is revolutionizing activities in many spaces and climes and Nigeria cannot be left behind”, he added.
He told the FOSSREA Officials that, “As we go about this responsibility, we will be calling upon you from time to time to share your research works, knowledge and expertise with our own officers. We want to go hand in hand with you in training and in developing the capacities of the officers in this sphere”.
The Chairman, FOSSREA, Mr. Aliu Hydar Mijinyawa remarked that Hydrogen was a key fuel of the future that would be used, not only in Nigeria but globally.
He noted that, already, many countries even in Africa had gone very far in deploying hydrogen and are enjoying millions of dollars of investment, and urged that Nigeria should be able to put its foot forward so that, ‘We also are in the thick of things of the hydrogen economy, This informed our decision to venture into this and inform the Ministry on this important project”, he stated.
Mr. Mijinyawa said his organization that was formed to provide a platform for Nigerians both within and outside Nigeria to give back to the country in various sectors.
He noted, “One key sector we found important that will be beneficial to the country is the energy sector. In the energy sector, we felt that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources should be at the forefront of driving this”.
He added that private sector organizations are always looking for willing partners to collaborate with and take our country to its destination.
While assuring that the potential of this partnership is great, he posited that experts within and outside Nigeria would be consulted to share their expertise, knowledge and to brainstorm on how to lay the foundation of hydrogen internally in Nigeria.
RN
