ABUAD VC seeks stronger partnerships on clean energy

The Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, has called for stronger partnerships among government, academia and industry to translate scientific research into practical clean energy solutions.

Olarinde, according to a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, spoke at the second International Green Hydrogen Summit held at ABUAD.

The VC said the transition to clean energy solutions required sustained investment in research, effective policies, industrial innovation and the development of skilled workers.

“There is need for stronger collaboration among government, academia and industry to translate scientific research into practical clean energy solutions,” she said.

Olarinde urged participants to ensure that the summit produced practical solutions and lasting partnerships capable of advancing Nigeria’s clean energy ambitions.

The Chief Executive Officer of CrossAfrique Hydrogen Limited, Netherlands, Joshua Dauda, corroborated the VC, reiterating the need for collaboration among universities, industries and international partners to develop Nigeria’s clean energy sector.

Dauda said the company was working with industrial partners and the German development agency, GIZ, to establish a Green Energy Hub at ABUAD, beginning with a solar photovoltaic system to power the university and a hydrogen classroom for research and demonstration.

He said, “The proposed project, Green Energy Hub at ABUAD, is a potential first-of-its-kind initiative in Nigeria. It will support training for researchers, lecturers and other professionals in hydrogen technology.

“The project is designed to draw on lessons and expertise acquired through international collaboration and adapt them to Nigeria’s energy needs”.

Dauda said the initiative would also promote curriculum development and knowledge-sharing, enabling other universities and institutions to replicate the model.

He said, “A subsequent phase can explore green ammonia production for fertiliser, potentially expanding the project’s contribution to agriculture and industrial development”.

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The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, who spoke on the theme, “Nigeria’s Pathway to Clean Energy: The Science, Policy and Industry Nexus,” also called for collaboration among the Federal Government, academia and industry to harness the country’s vast renewable energy resources.

Abdullahi, represented by Bolaji Sulu-Ibrahim, said the Federal Government had set 2060 as the target for Nigeria to build a power system driven largely by solar energy and storage, with green hydrogen expected to provide backup power and help reduce carbon emissions in heavy industries.

The director-general said Nigeria needed to accelerate investment in renewable energy technologies, scientific research and local manufacturing to achieve the target.

Abdullahi said, “The country has significant renewable energy resources, but needs innovation and stronger collaboration between government, academia and industry to harness them.

“Solar radiation in parts of the North-West, particularly Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, ranged between 6.0 and 7.0 kilowatt-hours per square metre daily, presenting considerable opportunities for solar power generation”.

He said Nigeria also had vast hydropower resources, wind potential in parts of the North and abundant biomass, but its installed renewable energy capacity stood at about 2,638 megawatts in 2024.

Abdullahi said, “The gap between the country’s renewable energy potential and its existing capacity underscored the need for investment in research, technology development and infrastructure”.

The director-general said the commission was implementing a solarisation programme for public facilities, particularly in the health and education sectors, while its six energy research centres across the geopolitical zones were expected to strengthen research and innovation.

He identified dependence on imported solar modules, inverters and batteries, inadequate grid infrastructure, shortages of skilled personnel, substandard equipment and limited access to finance as challenges confronting the sector.

Abdullahi stressed the need for local manufacturing, improved grid integration, quality standards and innovative financing models, saying addressing the challenges would require more than laboratory inventions.

He urged universities and research institutions to collaborate with the commission on research and pilot projects, while calling on industries to invest in technologies that could reduce emissions from fertiliser production, refining, cement and steel manufacturing.