Nigeria urges fair, inclusive global hydrogen economy at UN conference
Nigeria has called on the international community to ensure that the emerging global hydrogen economy is fair and inclusive, warning against a repeat of past patterns where developing countries were
Nigeria has called on the international community to ensure that the emerging global hydrogen economy is fair and inclusive, warning against a repeat of past patterns where developing countries were left behind in major industrial transitions.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, made the call during his closing remarks at the Conference on Clean Hydrogen: Shaping Sustainable Industry’s Future, organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday.
A statement from the ministry on Thursday said Bagudu spoke at the gathering of policymakers and industry leaders, where he said the global shift to clean hydrogen must not mirror earlier economic systems where wealth and industrial value were concentrated in a few regions, leaving others as mere suppliers of raw resources.
“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,” he said.
He explained that hydrogen should not be seen only as a tool for reducing carbon emissions, but also as an opportunity for industrial growth, job creation, energy security, and economic diversification, particularly for developing countries like Nigeria.
Advertisement
300x250
According to him, the transition to clean hydrogen offers a rare chance for many nations to move from the margins to the centre of global energy systems, but this can only happen if the process is built on cooperation, fairness, and shared benefits.
Bagudu urged global institutions and governments to speed up the development of policies and regulatory frameworks that would attract large-scale investment, deepen cross-border partnerships, and ensure that the benefits of hydrogen are widely distributed. “The future of clean hydrogen is not predetermined but will be shaped by the choices we make, the partnerships we forge, and the urgency with which we act,” he said.
He called for what he described as “concerted action on a hydrogen future that is not only clean but fair; not only innovative but inclusive; and not only global but truly shared.”
The minister noted that discussions at the conference showed that while opportunities in the hydrogen sector are significant, they are not evenly spread across countries. He pointed out that nations with abundant renewable energy resources, especially in the Global South, have a strong advantage in shaping the future of green energy.
However, he warned that natural endowment alone would not be enough to secure a place in the new energy economy. He said such potential must be backed by clear policies, reliable demand from developed countries, targeted investments, and genuine international cooperation.
Bagudu also spoke on Nigeria’s efforts to position itself in the hydrogen space, describing the country’s National Hydrogen Policy as part of a broader strategy to balance climate goals with economic development.
Advertisement
300x250
He said the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is pursuing a practical approach that leverages Nigeria’s natural gas resources to produce blue hydrogen under its “Decade of Gas” initiative, while also expanding renewable energy to support future green hydrogen production.
“Under the current administration, our approach is both pragmatic and forward-looking in leveraging natural gas to advance blue hydrogen through our ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative, while scaling renewable energy to unlock long-term green hydrogen opportunities,” he said.
Bagudu added that Nigeria has moved beyond planning to implementation through the development of a national hydrogen framework, attraction of large-scale investments, and integration of hydrogen into existing programmes such as gas flare commercialisation.
He also noted efforts to improve access to funding through climate finance and blended finance platforms aimed at drawing in both public and private sector investment.
The minister stressed the need to turn discussions into practical results, calling for stronger public-private partnerships, improved technical knowledge, and fair access to financing, particularly for developing economies.
Advertisement
300x250
He said the role of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization remains important in bringing countries together, supporting industrial growth, and promoting sustainable development.
“Nigeria remains firmly committed to utilising global partnerships and platforms to boost industrial growth and incorporate innovative solutions for national development,” he added.
The conference brought together governments, industry players, and international partners to explore how clean hydrogen can drive sustainable industrial growth, especially in developing countries and transition economies.
