Renewables
ABUAD summit urges stronger ties for clean energy growth
Leaders from government, academia, and industry met at Afe Babalola University to advance Nigeria's renewable energy and green hydrogen goals.
Key points
- Stakeholders at the second International Green Hydrogen Summit called for closer collaboration between government, universities, and industries.
- CrossAfrique Hydrogen Limited announced plans for a Green Energy Hub at ABUAD in partnership with GIZ.
- The Energy Commission of Nigeria noted that installed renewable capacity reached approximately 2,638 megawatts in 2024 against a backdrop of wider systemic challenges.
What happened
Speakers at the second International Green Hydrogen Summit, hosted at Afe Babalola University in Ado Ekiti, emphasized the necessity of unified action to drive clean energy adoption in Nigeria. According to Punch reporting, ABUAD Vice-Chancellor Prof. Smaranda Olarinde stated that research must be coupled with industrial innovation, supportive regulations, and workforce training.
Joshua Dauda, CEO of CrossAfrique Hydrogen Limited from the Netherlands, outlined plans for a university-based Green Energy Hub. Developed alongside international partners and the German agency GIZ, the facility will initially feature a solar photovoltaic system and a specialized hydrogen classroom.
Representing the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi noted that federal planning targets a predominantly solar-powered electricity system with hydrogen backup by 2060.
Why it matters
While Nigeria holds substantial renewable assets—including high solar irradiation in the northwest and significant hydropower potential—structural hurdles remain. The Energy Commission reported that installed renewable capacity stood at approximately 2,638 megawatts in 2024, lagging behind the nation's total resource base.
Sector growth continues to face obstacles such as heavy reliance on imported components, weak grid integration, financing deficits, and a shortage of technical expertise. Addressing these gaps is vital for a country where electricity access and clean cooking adoption remain below global averages, with World Bank data for 2024 placing national electricity access at 62.5 percent compared to a global average of 91.9 percent.
What comes next
The proposed ABUAD hub aims to function as a pilot model for national replication, supporting professional training and curriculum enhancement. Subsequent phases of the initiative could explore green ammonia production for agricultural and industrial use.
Meanwhile, the Energy Commission is rolling out solarisation initiatives for educational and health facilities, while urging industrial actors to invest in emission-reduction technologies for heavy sectors like cement, steel, and refining.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
22.0% of electricity in Nigeria was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
