Nigeria and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have signed a Joint Work Programme to strengthen energy data development for policymaking and investment.
Vice President Kashim Shettima described Nigeria’s formal admission as an IEA association country as a significant milestone for the nation.
Shettima spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the signing ceremony involving Nigerian officials and a delegation from the Paris-based energy organisation.
He said Nigeria’s admission demonstrated the country’s strategic importance in the global energy landscape and reflected the confidence placed in its commitment.
“Nigeria’s admission as an association country with the IEA is a significant milestone for our country,” Shettima said.
He said the development also reflected the gains of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms and justified the administration’s policy choices.
According to him, Nigeria will benefit from the IEA’s institutional knowledge, intellectual resources, global reach and expertise to advance its energy ambitions.
Shettima commended the IEA for its role in shaping the global energy landscape and supporting countries on energy security and sustainability.
He said the agency’s contributions to addressing energy affordability, security, sustainability and economic development could not be overstated.
The Vice President highlighted Nigeria’s abundant renewable energy resources and the administration’s commitment to repositioning the economy by leveraging available resources.
He assured the IEA delegation of Nigeria’s commitment to working with stakeholders towards a fair and just global energy transition.
Earlier, IEA Executive Director, Dr Fatih Birol, said the organisation covered all major energy technologies, including oil, gas, solar, nuclear power, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles.
Birol said joining the IEA family required extensive consideration and assessments before Nigeria’s admission was unanimously approved.
He said the IEA governing board, comprising governments including the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, accepted Nigeria unanimously.
“The IEA will accompany the Nigerian energy sector for the next few years to come for a much better energy future,” Birol said.
He said the agency would provide policy advice covering areas including clean cooking, gas markets and training for Nigerian energy experts.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said Nigeria’s admission was based on the performance of the Tinubu administration.
Ekpo said the reforms undertaken by the administration had demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to transforming the economy and strengthening the energy sector.
He said the Joint Work Programme would facilitate IEA technical support for developing energy data to guide policy and investment across the value chain.
According to him, the initiative is targeted at promoting economic growth and strengthening energy security in Nigeria.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, described the partnership as strategically important to Nigeria’s national interests.
He said the Nigerian Mission in Paris played a critical role in securing the partnership and pledged continued support from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“Our role is to ensure that whatever government does at home is projected effectively in advancing and promoting the interest of Nigeria,” Enikanolaiye said.
He said the ministry would facilitate and coordinate efforts to ensure Nigerians derived maximum benefits from the partnership.
Director-General, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, said the commission’s relationship with the IEA had previously supported Nigeria’s National Energy Master Plan.
He noted that the earlier collaboration lacked a formal structure, expressing optimism that Nigeria’s new status would strengthen institutional cooperation.
Abdullahi said the Joint Work Programme would provide a stronger framework for cooperation between the commission and the IEA. (NAN)
