The Federal Government and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have signed a Joint Work Programme to deepen strategic cooperation on energy data, policy and investment across the value chain, aimed at accelerating economic growth and strengthening energy security.
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, speaking at the signing ceremony on Thursday, described the country’s formal admission into the IEA as an important milestone and a validation of President Bola Tinubu’s economic and energy reforms.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said the partnership will help Nigeria harness its abundant energy resources for national development.
“Nigeria’s admission as an Association Country with the IEA is a significant milestone and reflects our strategic importance in the global energy landscape,” the Vice President said.
“It also demonstrates the confidence the IEA has placed in our commitment to constructive international energy cooperation.”
Vice President Shettima said Nigeria stands to gain from the IEA’s institutional knowledge, technical expertise and global reach, and reiterated the administration’s commitment to leveraging renewable and other domestic resources to reposition the economy.
He assured the IEA of Nigeria’s readiness to contribute to global discussions on a fair and just energy transition.
Dr. Fatih Birol, leader of the IEA delegation, noted that the agency supports governments across all technological fields — including oil, gas, solar, nuclear, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles — by providing policy advice and shared data.
He said Nigeria’s admission followed detailed consultations and a unanimous decision by the IEA Board, comprising member governments including the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
“The IEA will accompany the Nigerian energy sector in the coming years to help deliver a better energy future,” Dr. Birol said, adding that the agency will provide policy advice on areas ranging from clean cooking to gas markets, and will support capacity-building for Nigerian experts.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, said Nigeria’s acceptance into the IEA reflects the performance of the Tinubu administration and the reforms implemented to strengthen the economy.
He described the Joint Work Programme as a framework for IEA technical engagement with Nigeria to develop data-driven energy policy and investment plans that support growth and security.
Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, welcomed the partnership as strategically important and credited the Nigerian Mission in Paris for its role in securing the IEA association.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Minister Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, will help project and promote Nigeria’s national interest to ensure maximum benefit from the collaboration.
Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, recalled that the Commission and the IEA jointly sponsored Nigeria’s last National Energy Master Plan and said formal membership will further strengthen institutional ties between Nigeria and the IEA.
The Joint Work Programme will guide technical cooperation on energy data collection and analysis, policy advice, capacity building and investment planning across Nigeria’s
