Photo:Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo; IEA Executive Director, Fatih Birol
ABUJA — The International Energy Agency (IEA) has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, following Nigeria’s admission into the IEA Family as an Association country.
The decision was reached after the IEA Governing Board unanimously approved Nigeria’s membership, marking a significant milestone in the country’s participation in global energy governance.
IEA Executive Director, Fatih Birol, described Nigeria’s admission as a landmark achievement for both the country 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 a milestone for global energy governance. I am very thankful to President Tinubu and Minister Ekpo for their trust in the IEA,” Birol said.
He added that closer cooperation would strengthen Nigeria’s efforts to enhance energy security, drive economic growth and expand access to energy.
“As Nigeria works to strengthen energy security, support economic growth and expand energy access, deeper cooperation with the IEA will bring important benefits for both sides. We look forward to building on our already strong partnership and welcoming Nigeria to the IEA Family,” he said.
Responding to the development, Ekpo welcomed the Governing Board’s decision, describing it as a major step forward for Nigeria’s energy sector.
“I am elated with 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, and I encourage other African countries to embrace the IEA as we work together to achieve key development goals, including universal energy access and industrialisation,” the minister said.
The IEA Governing Board’s decision builds on more than a decade of cooperation between Nigeria and the agency, dating back to 2014.
In September 2025, the IEA, Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the African Energy Commission (AFREC) jointly hosted a regional roundtable in Abuja on “Turning Methane Pledges into Action,” bringing together stakeholders from across Africa to advance efforts to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector.
As an Association country, Nigeria will deepen collaboration with the IEA on a broad range of energy issues, including the agency’s expanding engagement across sub-Saharan Africa.
