Nigeria has become the first member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to be admitted as an associate member of the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperipe Ekpo, has announced.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ekpo made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking at the NOG Energy Week 2026 conference in Abuja.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s admission, which took effect on July 2, 2026, also makes the country the IEA’s sixth African associate member, strengthening its role in global energy policy discussions.
“On July 2nd 2026, the International Energy Agency officially admitted Nigeria as its newest association country,” Ekpo said.
He described the development as a landmark achievement that positions Nigeria to play a key role in shaping discussions on global energy transition while protecting the interests of developing countries.
“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 announced that Nigeria has assumed the presidency of the 2026 Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Ministerial Meeting, while Philip Mshelbila was elected Secretary-General of the forum.
He said the dual leadership role reflects growing international confidence in Nigeria’s expertise and policy direction in the gas sector.
“This dual leadership at the helm of the world’s premier gas alliance reflects international confidence in our technical expertise and policy vision,” he added.
Speaking on the government’s energy agenda, the minister said the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has prioritised the use of natural gas as a catalyst for economic growth rather than relying solely on exports.
“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 every policy and initiative undertaken by the ministry has been guided by the need to improve the competitiveness and resilience of the Nigerian economy.
“Resilient economies are not built by exporting raw materials alone; they are built by capturing and multiplying value at home.”
Ekpo said the government’s Decade of Gas initiative is focused on expanding domestic gas utilisation to power industries, support fertiliser and petrochemical production, drive cleaner transportation and provide clean cooking solutions for millions of households.
According to him, increased domestic gas utilisation will create jobs, boost industrial productivity, reduce import dependence and improve the living standards of Nigerians.
“Every cubic feet of gas utilised domestically directly creates local jobs, strengthens industrial productivity, reduces dependence on imports, and improves the standard of living.”
