By:Aljazirahnews

Towards gradual diversification to clean energy, the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji has assured of the federal government’s commitment to clean energy in line with global best practices.

Towards this end, major step towards achieving green hydrogen in Nigeria was taken in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, when APPL Hydrogen Limited, AHL, and LONGi Green Energy Technology Company Limited, LGETCL, a Chinese firm, signed  a massive 7.6 billion Euros deal for a green hydrogen project.

The project, our correspondent gathered, would be located within the Liberty Free Trade Zone, LFTZ, at Atabrikang in Ibeno local government area of the State.

The chief visionary officer, Mr. Idara Ekpo endorsed the agreement for APPL Hydrogen Limited while Francois Cui, vice president of LONGi-Europe, led the Chinese delegation to close the deal.

Other members of his team were Monica Ping, technical director, Europe; Jim Huang, general manager, Europe; and Arinze Onyeabo, business development director, West Africa/technical manager Europe.

LONGi, according to the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, is a world leader in the clean energy transition, while AHL is a Nigerian company that provides clean and environmentally-friendly fuel.

In his remarks, Nnaji said his visit to the project site and to witness the exchange of agreement “is a testament to the federal government’s commitment to advancing renewed energy, industrialisation and technology-driven innovation as key drivers of economic growth”, adding that “the project represents a significant step in Nigeria’s journey towards a sustainable energy future.

 “As the global energy landscape shifts towards cleaner alternative, investments in green hydrogen, green methanol and green ammonium production place Nigeria at the forefront of green energy innovation”.

The Minister listed the benefits of science and technology integration in the sector to include industrial development, job creation, foreign investment attraction, as well as establishing Nigeria’s position in the global energy market.

He, therefore, called for synergy between public and private sector stakeholders to enable the project achieve the desired success.

For his part, the managing director of Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Authority, Alhaji Bamanga Usman Jada described the project as “one that will diversify Nigeria’s economy, encourage export and help solve the issue of foreign exchange”.