The Federal Government has welcomed Nigeria’s admission into the International Energy Agency (IEA) as an association country, and described the development as a significant step that will deepen the country’s engagement in global energy governance while advancing its drive for universal energy access, industrialisation and sustainable energy development.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, in a statement by his media aide, Louis Ibah, also expressed delight over the unanimous decision of the IEA Governing Board, adding that Nigeria’s admission into the IEA family reflects the country’s growing strategic importance in the global energy landscape.
He said: “I am elated by the decision of the IEA Members to officially welcome Nigeria to the IEA Family as an Association country. 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.
IEA in a statement stated that its Governing Board has unanimously agreed for Nigeria to join the IEA family as an association country, deepening the agency’s cooperation with Africa’s most populous nation in a major advance in global energy governance. According to the statement, home to over 240 million people and one of Africa’s largest economies, Nigeria is a major producer of oil and natural gas and is one of the continent’s most dynamic renewable energy markets.