…Move will boost energy access, industrialisation
Nigeria has become the first OPEC member to join the International Energy Agency as an associate member, the government announced on Thursday, a move that could deepen the West African nation’s engagement with major oil-consuming countries and reshape its role in global energy dialogue.
The minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, while announcing this on Thursday, described the move as a major boost for the country’s drive to expand energy access and accelerate industrialisation.
The decision follows months of talks with the Paris-based IEA and signals Abuja’s intent to broaden collaboration on energy policy, market transparency and investment, officials said.
Ekpo welcomed the IEA governing board’s unanimous decision, saying that membership will deepen Nigeria’s engagement in global energy governance and unlock expertise, investment, and policy support for gas development, electricity access, and sustainable energy solutions.
Ekpo, also said the membership will aid in advancing the country’s drive for universal energy access, industrialisation and sustainable energy development.
Expressing delight over the unanimous decision of the IEA Governing Board, Ekpo said Nigeria’s admission into the IEA Family reflects the country’s growing strategic importance in the global energy landscape.
“I am elated by the decision of the IEA Members to officially welcome Nigeria to the IEA Family as an Association country,” Ekpo said. “It is an honour for Nigeria to join this leading energy agency. I also encourage other African countries to deepen their engagement with the IEA as we work together to achieve key development goals, including universal energy access and industrialisation.”
Ekpo noted that the partnership would provide Nigeria with greater access to global energy expertise, research and policy insights, while strengthening collaboration in areas such as energy security, investment mobilisation, gas development, electricity access and sustainable energy solutions.
He added that the engagement would support the country’s efforts to build a more resilient and competitive energy sector.
Nigeria is the latest country to join the IEA’s Association programme, which brings together major energy-producing and energy-consuming nations to advance secure, affordable and sustainable energy systems. With Nigeria’s admission, the IEA Family now accounts for more than 80 per cent of global energy demand, up from 40 per cent when the programme was launched in 2015.
Welcoming Nigeria into the organisation, IEA executive director, Fatih Birol, described the country’s admission as an important step for both the Agency and the global energy community.
“I am thrilled that Nigeria is joining the IEA. It is Africa’s most populous country and a major international energy player. Nigeria becoming part of the world’s energy authority marks an important advance in global energy governance,” Birol said.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ekpo for their confidence in the Agency, adding that closer collaboration would support Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen energy security, drive economic growth, and expand access to electricity and clean cooking solutions.
The IEA also noted Nigeria’s growing influence in international energy markets, particularly through recent developments in its refining sector. It was observed that, during periods of market disruption, increased fuel exports from Nigeria helped strengthen the resilience of African and global fuel markets.
The Agency further acknowledged that Nigeria has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for decentralised solar energy solutions and is intensifying efforts to expand access to electricity and clean cooking.
Nigeria’s admission builds on more than a decade of cooperation with the IEA, which began in 2014, and will deepen collaboration across key areas, including energy security, the clean energy transition, methane emissions reduction, electricity access and broader energy sector development.
The gas minister described the development as a reflection of Nigeria’s growing role in global energy policy and reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to strengthen energy security, expand access and build a sustainable energy future.
