The Nigeria IEA partnership has officially commenced with the signing of a Joint Work Programme between Nigeria and the International Energy Agency. The agreement is aimed at strengthening strategic collaboration in energy data, policy development and investment across the value chain for economic growth and energy security.
The Nigeria IEA partnership also signals Nigeria’s formal admission into the IEA as an Association Country. Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima said the milestone reflects the gains of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms.
Shettima, who spoke on behalf of President Tinubu, announced the development on Thursday during the signing ceremony in Abuja.
“Nigeria’s admission as an association country with the IEA is a significant milestone for our country,” Shettima said.
“It reflects Nigeria’s strategic importance in the global energy landscape and the confidence that IEA has placed in our commitment to constructive international energy cooperation.”
The VP noted that Nigeria IEA partnership will give the country access to IEA’s institutional knowledge, intellectual resources and global expertise.
“Given Nigeria’s potential, the country will benefit from IEA’s reach and expertise to support our nation’s ambitions in this sector,” he added.
Shettima also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to leveraging Nigeria’s abundant renewable energy resources and to contributing to global conversations on a fair and just energy transition.
Leader of the IEA delegation, Dr. Fatih Birol, said the IEA covers oil, gas, solar, nuclear, AI and electric vehicles, and works with 500 of the world’s top energy experts.
He explained that Nigeria’s admission followed unanimous approval by the IEA Board, made up of the US, Japan, Germany, Italy and the UK, after discussions with Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
“The IEA will accompany the Nigerian energy sector for the next few years to come for a much better energy future. We will provide policy advice from clean cooking to gas markets, and train Nigerian experts at the IEA,” Dr. Birol assured.
Mr. Ekpo said Nigeria IEA partnership was based on reforms under the Tinubu administration. The Joint Work Programme will involve IEA’s technical team in developing data for energy policy and investment across the value chain.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, through her representative Ambassador Sola Enikanoaiye, said the Nigeria IEA partnership is strategically important for Nigeria’s national interest.
Also speaking, Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, said the ECN and IEA previously co-sponsored Nigeria’s National Energy Master Plan. He expressed optimism that formal membership will deepen the relationship.
