Nigeria secures seat on global energy platform

Nigeria has officially joined the World Energy Council, establishing a National Member Committee and Governing Board to enhance the country's influence in global energy policy discussions. This move aims to tackle domestic challenges around energy security, affordability, and sustainability, while advancing the nation's electrification, gas development, investment, and industrialisation goals.

The newly constituted national committee will serve as an independent, impartial, and technology-neutral platform, uniting leaders from government, private sector, finance, academia, and civil society to develop practical solutions to Nigeria's energy challenges. The platform will specifically address the global "Energy Trilemma" of balancing energy security, equity, and environmental sustainability.

Abdulrazaq Isa, Co-founder and Chairman of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, chairs the Governing Board, with Bala Wunti, former Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Limited, serving as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer. Other members include experts in energy policy, operations, regulation, investment, technology, research, and enterprise development.

World Energy Council Nigeria's Secretary-General and CEO, Angela Wilkinson, welcomed Nigeria's participation, stating that the country's leadership will strengthen Africa's contribution to global energy policy conversations. Nigeria's return to the Council comes as the nation pursues reforms in its energy sector, including the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, expansion of gas utilisation, electricity market reforms, and efforts to attract investment into oil, gas, renewable energy, and critical minerals.