Nigeria Advocates for Equitable Hydrogen Economy at United Nations Conference
Nigeria has made a strong appeal to the United Nations, urging the global body to foster an inclusive and fair hydrogen economy. The country emphasized that no region should be excluded from the transition to a cleaner energy ecosystem, highlighting the need to address historical inequalities in value creation.
Minister Bagudu's Remarks at UNIDO Conference
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, outlined Nigeria's position during his closing remarks at the Conference on Clean Hydrogen: Shaping Sustainable Industry's Future. This event was organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday. Bagudu stressed that hydrogen represents more than just a decarbonisation tool; it is a pathway to industrialisation, job creation, energy security, and economic diversification for many nations.
He described hydrogen as a historic opportunity to shift from the margins to the mainstream of global energy systems. However, the minister cautioned that this transition must be cooperative, inclusive, and equitable to avoid replicating past disparities. "We must ensure that the emerging hydrogen economy does not replicate past inequalities, where value creation is concentrated in a few regions while others remain mere suppliers of raw potential," Bagudu urged the global community.
Call for Concerted Action and Policy Frameworks
Bagudu called for a renewed commitment to fast-tracking policies and regulatory frameworks to mobilize investment at scale. He emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships across regions to ensure that hydrogen serves as a tool for shared prosperity. The minister advocated for a hydrogen future that is not only clean but fair, innovative but inclusive, and global but truly shared.
He noted that while discussions at the conference confirmed vast opportunities, these are not evenly distributed. For instance, countries rich in renewable resources, particularly in the Global South, are uniquely positioned to influence the future of green energy. However, Bagudu warned that potential alone is insufficient; it must be supported by deliberate policy choices, credible demand signals from the Global North, strategic investments, and genuine international cooperation.
Nigeria's Hydrogen Policy and Broader Energy Plans
Bagudu highlighted Nigeria's Hydrogen policy as a key component of the country's broader energy and development strategies. This policy is built on Nigeria's commitment to enhance climate resilience while sustaining economic growth, industrialisation, and energy access. The UNIDO International Conference on Hydrogen in Industry brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and international partners to promote transformative change in developing countries and transition economies through the sustainable utilization of clean hydrogen.
The event aims to drive progress in local industries by leveraging clean hydrogen technologies, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and foster sustainable development. Nigeria's proactive stance underscores its role in advocating for a just energy transition on the international stage.
