Title : Decarbonizing Nigeria’s economy: The role of green hydrogen
Abstract:
Despite global campaigns on sustainability, Nigeria’s economy remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, particularly oil and natural gas, making it vulnerable to climate risks, volatile global energy markets, and long-term decarbonization pressures. As a signatory to UNFCCC Paris Agreement and as global momentum toward net-zero emissions intensifies, with a population of over 200 million and less than 50% energy access, Nigeria must adopt transformative pathways that support economic growth while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This paper examines the role of “Green Hydrogen” as a strategic lever for decarbonizing Nigeria’s economy and enabling sustainable industrial development. Drawing on Nigeria’s abundant renewable energy resources, emerging hydrogen initiatives, and national energy transition targets, the study explores hydrogen’s applications across power generation, transportation, fertilizer production, refining, and heavy industry. It analyses technological, economic, and policy dimensions, identifies key challenges, and proposes a phased national deployment roadmap. The findings demonstrate that green hydrogen can significantly enhance Nigeria’s energy security, stimulate industrial diversification, attract foreign direct investments (FDI), create green jobs, and position the country as a regional hub for clean energy. Strategic policy alignment, infrastructure investment, and international climate finance are critical to unlocking this opportunity.
Keywords: Decarbonization, Green Hydrogen, Climate Finance, Net-Zero and Climate Change.
