Nigeria has been admitted as an Association country of the International Energy Agency (IEA), a significant milestone expected to strengthen the country's role in global energy governance and support its drive towards energy security, investment and sustainable development.

The admission was approved by the IEA Governing Board following Nigeria's formal application submitted through the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo. The approval marks the fastest accession process in the agency's history, according to IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.

Reacting to the development, Ekpo described Nigeria's admission as a landmark achievement that reflects the country's growing importance in the global energy landscape.

He said the new status would deepen collaboration with the Paris-based agency in areas such as natural gas development, renewable energy, electricity access, clean cooking, methane emissions reduction and energy transition.

"The admission into the IEA Association family is a major milestone for Nigeria. It provides a platform to strengthen our energy policies, attract investment and enhance technical cooperation to achieve our national energy objectives," the minister said.

Birol congratulated Nigeria on becoming the latest Association country, noting that the country's strategic role as Africa's largest oil producer, a major natural gas supplier and one of the continent's fastest-growing renewable energy markets made it an important partner for the agency.

He said Nigeria's application, submitted in May 2026, was processed and approved within weeks after consultations with IEA member countries, making it the quickest accession process witnessed during his more than three decades with the organisation.

As an Association country, Nigeria will gain access to the IEA's extensive energy data, policy analysis, technical expertise and collaborative programmes designed to improve energy security, expand energy access and promote clean energy development.

The partnership is also expected to support Nigeria's efforts to harness its vast natural gas resources, improve electricity supply, expand clean cooking initiatives and attract greater investment into the country's energy sector.

The IEA noted that despite Nigeria's abundant energy resources and growing refining capacity, millions of citizens still lack reliable electricity and access to clean cooking.

The agency said closer collaboration would help address these challenges while supporting the country's long-term economic growth and energy transition goals. Nigeria's admission builds on an existing cooperation agreement signed earlier this year between the Federal Government and the IEA to strengthen gas development, improve energy governance and expand access to clean cooking solutions.

With the latest development, Nigeria becomes the 14th Association country in the IEA network, expanding the agency's engagement with emerging economies that collectively account for more than 80 per cent of global energy demand.