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The International Energy Agency (IEA) has said sustained political stability in Nigeria will be critical to boosting investor confidence and attracting significantly higher investment into the country’s gas sector.
The IEA Executive Director, Dr Fatih Birol, stated this on Thursday in Abuja when he visited the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, in his first visit to Nigeria since the country became an Association country of the global energy agency in July 2026.
Birol, while acknowledging Nigeria’s vast gas resources, commended President Bola Tinubu and Ekpo for their efforts to reposition the sector for growth and prosperity over the past three years.
He expressed optimism that investment in Nigeria’s gas sector would rise significantly beyond current levels, stressing that sustained political stability would further strengthen investor confidence and trust.
Ekpo, who received the IEA chief, said the Federal Government was implementing reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s gas sector and unlocking the country’s abundant gas resources to drive industrialisation, energy security and economic growth.
He said Nigeria’s gas strategy was centred on expanding gas utilisation in power generation, fertiliser production, compressed natural gas (CNG) transportation, clean cooking and other productive sectors, while attracting investment across the entire gas value chain.
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According to him, the reforms are already boosting investor confidence and investment inflows, adding that Nigeria would continue to leverage its gas resources as a catalyst for industrialisation.
Ekpo described Nigeria’s partnership with the IEA as strategically important to the country and the wider African continent, particularly in advancing energy security, gas development, investment, clean cooking and the broader energy transition.
He assured Birol that Nigeria would work closely with the IEA to pursue shared energy priorities and strengthen the country’s voice in global energy discussions.
The visit culminated in the signing of a Joint Work Programme between Nigeria and the IEA, witnessed by Vice President Kashim Shettima at an event held at the Vice President’s Office, Aso Rock Villa.
Also present were the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan; the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Rabiu Umar; the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energies, NNPC Ltd, Lekan Ogunleye; and senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the IEA.
