Nigeria has been admitted as an Association Country of the International Energy Agency (IEA), marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation in the energy sector.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the development on Thursday when he received an IEA delegation led by its Executive Director, Dr Fatih Birol.
During the meeting, Nigeria and the IEA signed a Joint Work Programme aimed at improving energy data and strengthening cooperation on policy and investment across the energy value chain.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, Shettima described Nigeria’s admission as an important milestone and a reflection of the progress made through the administration’s economic reforms.
He said membership would provide Nigeria with access to the IEA’s technical expertise, institutional knowledge and global network as the country seeks to maximise its energy resources and improve energy security.
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Shettima also highlighted Nigeria’s potential in renewable energy and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with international partners on a fair and sustainable energy transition.
Birol said the IEA brings together governments and experts across a wide range of energy fields, including oil, gas, solar power, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles.
He said Nigeria’s admission followed extensive consultations and assessments before the IEA governing board unanimously approved the country’s membership.
Birol assured Nigeria that the agency would support the country’s energy sector in the coming years through policy advice, data sharing and technical training for Nigerian experts.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said Nigeria’s admission reflected the impact of reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.
He said the Joint Work Programme would enable IEA technical experts to work with Nigerian counterparts to improve energy data for policymaking, investment, economic growth and energy security.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanoaiye described the partnership as strategically important to Nigeria, adding that the country’s mission in Paris had played a key role in securing the agreement.
Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, said the commission had previously worked with the IEA on Nigeria’s National Energy Master Plan.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria’s formal association with the agency would strengthen existing cooperation and create greater opportunities for the country’s energy sector.
