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.
