Nigeria and the International Energy Agency have signed a Joint Work Programme to strengthen energy data development, policy formulation and investment across the country’s energy value chain.
The agreement was signed on Thursday, marking the formal commencement of Nigeria’s partnership with the Paris-based organisation.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima described Nigeria’s admission as an IEA association country as a significant milestone and evidence of the gains of the administration’s economic reforms.
Shettima said the partnership would enable Nigeria to benefit from the IEA’s institutional knowledge, expertise and global reach in developing the country’s energy sector.
“Nigeria’s admission as an association country with the IEA is a significant milestone for our country, and 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,” he said.
He added that Nigeria would leverage the partnership to maximise its abundant energy resources, including renewable energy, while contributing to global discussions on a fair and just energy transition.
The IEA Executive Director, Fatih Birol, said Nigeria’s admission followed extensive consultations and a unanimous decision by the agency’s governing board, comprising governments including the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Birol said the IEA would support Nigeria’s energy sector through policy advice, data and expertise, covering areas ranging from clean cooking and gas markets to training Nigerian experts.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the partnership would facilitate IEA technical support for the development of data needed for energy policy and investment, with the ultimate goal of promoting economic growth and energy security.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanoaiye, described the partnership as strategically important, while the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, expressed optimism that formalising the relationship would strengthen ongoing collaboration with the IEA.
Abdullahi noted that the Energy Commission had previously worked with the IEA on the joint sponsorship of Nigeria’s National Energy Master Plan.