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Nigeria has become the first member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to be admitted as an Association Country of the International Energy Agency (IEA), marking a significant milestone in the country’s global energy diplomacy.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, announced the development on Tuesday while speaking at the NOG Energy Week 2026 Conference in Abuja.
According to the minister, the IEA officially admitted Nigeria as its newest Association Country on July 2, 2026, making it the agency’s sixth African association member and the first OPEC member to attain the status.
Announcing the development, Ekpo said: “On July 2nd, 2026, the International Energy Agency officially admitted Nigeria as its newest Association Country.”
He described the admission as a landmark achievement that places Nigeria at the centre of global conversations on energy security and transition.
“As the first OPEC member to partner with the IEA and its sixth African association member, Nigeria is uniquely anchoring a balanced global dialogue, ensuring equitable energy transitions while defending the right of developing nations to responsibly harness their gas assets,” he said.
Ekpo also disclosed that Nigeria has assumed the presidency of the 2026 Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Ministerial Meeting, while Philip Mshelbila has been elected Secretary-General of the organisation.
According to him, the twin achievements reflect growing international confidence in Nigeria’s leadership in the global gas industry.
“This dual leadership at the helm of the world’s premier gas alliance reflects international confidence in our technical expertise and policy vision,” the minister said.
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Highlighting the Federal Government’s gas development agenda, Ekpo said the administration has prioritised transforming natural gas from an export commodity into a major driver of domestic economic growth.
He noted that every policy and programme of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has been guided by the need to improve the competitiveness and resilience of the Nigerian economy.
“When I assumed office, our team embraced a clear mandate: to transform natural gas from an export commodity into the primary engine of Nigeria’s economic growth,” he said.
The minister stressed that sustainable economic growth cannot be achieved by exporting raw materials alone but by creating value within the country.
“Resilient economies are not built by exporting raw materials alone; they are built by capturing and multiplying value at home. This is the core philosophy driving our Decade of Gas initiative,” he said.
Ekpo explained that the government is aggressively deploying natural gas to power domestic industries, supply fertiliser and petrochemical plants, promote cleaner commercial transportation and expand access to clean cooking solutions for millions of households.
According to him, increased domestic utilisation of gas will create jobs, boost industrial productivity, reduce dependence on imports and improve living standards.
“Every cubic feet of gas utilised domestically directly creates local jobs, strengthens industrial productivity, reduces dependence on imports, and improves the standard of living,” he added.
Nigeria’s admission into the IEA is expected to strengthen collaboration with advanced and emerging economies on energy policy, technology, security and sustainable energy development, while reinforcing the country’s strategic role in shaping global discussions on the energy transition.
