Nigeria and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have signed an agreement for a joint work programme aimed at improving energy data and strengthening policymaking and investment across Nigeria’s energy sector.
Gatekeepers News reports that the agreement was signed in Abuja as Nigeria deepens its relationship with the Paris-based energy agency following its admission as an associate member in July 2026.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the signing, described Nigeria’s entry into the IEA as a significant milestone. He said the partnership would provide Nigeria with access to the agency’s institutional knowledge, technical expertise and international reach as the country seeks to maximise its energy resources.
Shettima also highlighted Nigeria’s potential in both conventional and renewable energy, saying the government remained committed to repositioning the economy through the sector.
Fatih Birol, IEA executive director, said the agency would support Nigeria’s energy sector over the coming years through policy advice, technical cooperation, data sharing and capacity building.
He said the IEA’s work with Nigeria would cover areas including natural gas, clean cooking, electrification, energy efficiency and energy data development. The agency’s board, comprising governments including the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, had unanimously approved Nigeria’s admission, he added.
Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), said the joint programme would see IEA technical experts work with Nigerian authorities to develop reliable data needed for energy policy formulation and investment decisions across the value chain.
Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, said Nigeria had previously worked with the IEA on the sponsorship of the country’s last National Energy Master Plan, but noted that there had been no formal structure governing the relationship.
The development comes as the IEA projects stronger investment prospects for Nigeria following its associate membership. Birol said Nigeria could potentially double energy-sector investment within five years, citing the country’s oil, gas and renewable-energy resources as major opportunities for investors.
