Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that Nigeria is partnering with Germany to take advantage of the $130 billion global hydrogen market to develop its clean energy sector.
This was disclosed by Shettima on Friday when he received on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, a German delegation led by a member of the German Parliament and Hydrogen Commissioner, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Mr Till Mansmann.
According to Shettima, this is about developing the country’s hydrogen market in line with its renewable energy objectives and a global plan for transition from fossil fuels to green sources.
He said, “We cannot run away from the fact that sooner than later we have to do away with fossil fuels and resort to green energy for a sustainable world and inclusive economic growth.
“We appreciate you and there is ample opportunity for us to partner towards the development of the 130 billion-dollars global hydrogen market projected by the World Bank to grow at 9% per annum.”
Vice President Shettima, in the light of potential for hydrogen development, was optimistic that if Nigeria does get it right, then the countries across Africa will do as well.
He pointed out “Hydrogen has the potential of revolutionizing a lot of industries in Nigeria, including fertilizer production. The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is ready to partner with authorities in Germany to drive the process towards developing the hydrogen market in Nigeria and beyond.
“Partnering to develop the hydrogen market in Nigeria will positively impact the rest of the African continent given its potential and position. The potential is here in Nigeria. When Nigeria gets its acts right, Africa will get it right too. You have a partner in Nigeria, In President Tinubu, you have a partner that you can trust. Leadership is about the ability to provide ideas to the problems of a nation.”
Senator Shettima praised Germany for its sacrifice and empathy towards other countries in different areas.
He said, “Though not endowed with a lot of natural resources, Germany is blessed with the human capital that has made the country a global leader across diverse fields, including technology and devotion to ethics.”
Meanwhile, the Head of the German Delegation/Member of the German Parliament and Hydrogen Commissioner, Mansmann, said the partnership with Nigeria and institutions such as the University of Nigeria is essential to achieve the objectives set out in Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy
He said “Nigeria is a very important partner for the global transformation of energy. If you want to fight climate change, it makes no sense if one country alone goes its pathway. We need to come together in a lot of cooperation in technology, science, and human resources.
“About 30 countries in Africa have the potential for green energy, especially hydrogen, and Nigeria is one of the most powerful countries in this field.”
“We visited the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and it was really interesting to see the programmes coming from there in renewable energies.”
He emphasised the need for collaboration in the field of science with universities.
“A lot of young, well-educated people are the ones that will transform the world in the future. Because of that, we think cooperation in the field of science with universities is most important.
“Germany will be an energy importing country for the next decades in huge amounts. Currently, we import 70% of our energy in the form of fossils, and we want to get out of fossils by 2045. That means in 20 years all imported energy needs to be green. And we know there are great potentials in Africa and Nigeria,” he added.
