The German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office, financed by the Federal Foreign Office and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
(GIZ), has held the First German-Nigerian Symposium on Green Hydrogen with the aim of helping Nigeria to harness the potentials in renewable energy between both countries.

While speaking at the symposium Thursday in Abuja, the Country Director, GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, Ms. Ina Hommers, said the objective of the programme is to support Nigeria to sustain industrial and economic transformation.

Hommers said, “We are delighted to welcome you to the first public event of the Hydrogen Office, which aims to support Nigeria in exploring the potentials of green hydrogen and consequently foster the sustainable transformation
of the country’s industry and economy”.

“Renewable energy becomes more and more important in the wake of insecurity. We are ready and willing to work with Nigeria and all agencies to make this a reality”.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Honourable Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu expressed gratitude for the existing cooperation between Germany and Nigeria in the framework of the energy partnership.

“Nigeria is keen on exploring the possibilities that the nascent hydrogen economy could create for our energy transition, and we are very interested in establishing a fruitful dialogue with Germany on this topic” Aliyu said.

Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of Environment Mohammed Abdullahi, who was represented said, “Green Hydrogen, as a low carbon fuel has been identified to
play a major role in the energy transition towards decarbonization and reducing the speed of global warming and meeting global climate targets like the Paris Agreement.”

Delivering a goodwill message, the Director-General for Climate Diplomacy, Economic Affairs and Technology, German Federal Foreign Office, Oliver Rentschler, said “the new chapter in our partnership will not only enhance the dialogue on green hydrogen, but will also intensify the economic relations and dialogue on the expansion of renewable energies between our countries”.

In her closing remark, Head of the German Nigerian Hydrogen office Ms. Gina Lagunes said “To ensure future economic stability, Nigeria, as a traditional fossil fuel exporting country with existing oil and gas infrastructure and know-how, can use this trend as a momentum to transition towards sustainable energy”

The Hydrogen Office is expected to facilitate the political dialogue, engaging all relevant stakeholders in the conversation, capacity building and cooperating with the
private sector to empower companies to get involved in the new market for hydrogen and its derivatives.