Abuja: The West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) has revealed that Nigeria could potentially generate four million tonnes of green ammonia annually by 2060, provided the right investments and frameworks are put in place. Ammonia, an inorganic compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, is crucial in the production of fertilizers.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the announcement was made by WASCAL’s Executive Director, Prof. Emmanuel Ramde, at the Nigeria4H2 Project Results Workshop and End of Project Stakeholders’ Interaction in Abuja. The Nigeria4H2 project, in collaboration with WASCAL, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Afe Babalola University, and Federal University of Technology, Minna, among others, aims to assess Nigeria’s potential to harness green hydrogen for various applications, including powering transportation, generating electricity, and manufacturing fertilizers.
Prof. Ramde highlighted that the production of green ammonia could significantly support farmers, reduce reliance on imported fertilizers, strengthen national food security, and create numerous green jobs across the value chain. He emphasized that renewable energy is vital for Africa’s energy transition, with Nigeria possessing substantial potential in green hydrogen and renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro power.
The Executive Director also underscored the importance of integrating green hydrogen into agricultural policy, positioning green ammonia as a core component of Nigeria’s fertilizer strategy to enhance productivity and sustainability. He noted that Nigeria could not only meet significant domestic fertilizer demand through green ammonia but also establish itself as a key player in the global green economy.
To realize this potential, Prof. Ramde stated that Nigeria needs to develop a national green hydrogen strategy, establish clear targets, incentives, and regulatory frameworks, and foster public-private partnerships to leverage international expertise and financing. He also expressed WASCAL’s readiness to support Nigeria and other West African governments with technical advice and policy development to promote green energy.
Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), called for tax incentives for hydrogen investors and public-private partnerships on pilot projects. He emphasized the need for local content promotion in hydrogen technology training, research, and innovation by academia and NGOs. Abdullahi also mentioned that the Nigeria4H2 project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the country’s National Energy Policy, which recognizes hydrogen as an environmentally friendly energy carrier.
Represented by Mr. Ibrahim Sulu, Director of Renewable Energy at ECN, Abdullahi stressed the importance of establishing a robust National Hydrogen Policy to accelerate Nigeria’s Green Hydrogen Strategy, especially as global economies diversify their energy portfolios with low-carbon sources like hydrogen.
