By Emmanuella Anokam

The West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), says with right investments and frameworks, Nigeria can generate four million tonnes of green ammonia annually by 2060.

Ammonia is an inorganic chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen used in making fertilisers.

Its Executive Director, Prof. Emmanuel Ramde, stated this at the Nigeria4H2 Project Results Workshop and End of Project Stakeholders’ Interaction, in Abuja.

The Nigeria4H2 project is being implemented in collaboration with WASCAL, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Afe Babalola University and Federal University of Technology, Minna, among others.

It seeks to assess the technical, infrastructural, regulatory and investment landscape to harness Nigeria’s green hydrogen potential to power transportation, produce electricity and manufacture fertilisers based on green ammonia in Nigeria.

Ramde said this would enhance support for farmers, reduce dependence on imported fertilisers, strengthen national food security, and create thousands of green jobs across the value chain.

“Renewable energy plays a critical role in the energy transition for Africa, and Nigeria has green hydrogen and renewable energy potential such as solar, wind and hydro power.

“In producing green hydrogen, it can play two roles – in the energy sector to power transportation and produce electricity, and in the agricultural sector, to produce fertiliser to boost food security in the region,” he said.

He underscored the need to integrate green hydrogen into agricultural policy by positioning green ammonia as a core component of Nigeria’s fertiliser strategy to boost productivity and sustainability.

“We are proud to report that, under three forward looking production scenarios developed within the framework of this project, Nigeria has the potential to unlock its potentials.

“Nigeria has the potential not only to meet a significant share of its domestic fertiliser demand through green ammonia but also to establish itself as a global player in the emerging green economy.

“The scenarios indicate that with the right investments, clear regulatory frameworks, and adequate infrastructure, Nigeria could generate over four million tonnes of green ammonia annually by 2060 to produce fertiliser.

“But realising this potential will require action such as developing a national green hydrogen strategy by establishing clear targets, incentives, and regulatory frameworks to guide public and private investment in green hydrogen and ammonia.

“There is need to foster public-private partnerships to leverage international expertise and financing, accelerating technology transfer and local capacity building,” he said.

He expressed WASCAL’ s readiness to support Nigeria and governments across West Africa with technical advice and help to develop policies to promote green energy.

He thanked the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) for its financial and technical support, without which the study would not have been possible.

Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), called for tax incentives for hydrogen investors, public-private sector partners on pilot projects, to fasttrack local content promotion in hydrogen tech training, research, and innovation by academia and NGOs.

Abdullahi said the Nigeria4H2 project, titled: “A Critical Analysis of the Potentials, Infrastructure, and Enabling Framework Conditions for Green Hydrogen in Fertiliser Production in Nigeria,” fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Represented by Mr Ibrahim Sulu, Director, Renewable Energy, ECN, Abdullahi said the Nigeria’s National Energy Policy, first approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2003, recognised hydrogen as a high-potential, environmentally friendly energy carrier.

He said the policy advocated for its integration into the national energy mix, alongside research, innovation, and capacity development to advance its applications.

“Today, developed and emerging economies are racing to diversify their energy portfolios with low-carbon sources, particularly hydrogen – classified by colour codes such as green, blue, and white.

“Given these global trends, the time is ripe for Nigeria to establish a robust National Hydrogen Policy to serve as the foundational pillar for accelerating Nigeria’s Green Hydrogen Strategy,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali