Nigeria Returns to World Energy Council's Global Network

A new National Member Committee and Governing Board has placed Nigeria back in the World Energy Council's global network, giving the country a platform to work on energy access, affordability and gas development.

World Energy Council Nigeria said in a statement on Thursday that the new committee would bring together leaders from government, the private sector, finance, academia and civil society to work on what the Council calls the Energy Trilemma, the task of balancing energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability.

Why Nigeria joined now

The Council said Nigeria's return comes at a period when the country is working to improve energy access, strengthen energy security, speed up natural gas development and attract the investment needed for economic growth and industrial expansion.

Nigeria is currently implementing the Petroleum Industry Act, expanding domestic gas use, reforming its electricity market and seeking investment in oil, gas, renewable energy and critical mineral development.

Chairman of the Governing Board, Abdulrazaq Isa, who is also Co-founder and Chairman of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, said the platform gives Nigeria and Africa a stronger voice in global energy discussions.

"We will work across sectors to advance solutions grounded in our realities, responsive to our development priorities and capable of attracting sustainable investment," he said.

Bala Wunti, former Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Limited and the committee's first Chief Executive Officer, said the goal is to link evidence, leadership and capital to produce results.

"Nigeria must build an energy system that is secure, affordable, sustainable and capable of powering shared prosperity," he said.

Access to a global network

Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the World Energy Council, Angela Wilkinson, said Nigeria holds a significant leadership position and that the new committee would carry the country's expertise to the Riyadh World Energy Congress in April 2027 and other international events.

Through the Council, Nigerian institutions and businesses gain access to a network of more than 3,000 member organisations across over 100 countries, giving them entry to international knowledge, technologies, partnerships and investment opportunities.

The World Energy Council was founded in 1923 and is the oldest independent and impartial organisation dedicated to energy policy and collaboration.

The Governing Board also includes Professor Wumi Iledare, Mustapha Abdullahi, Aisha Farida Katagum, Ainojie "Alex" Irune, Emmanuel Okon, Victor Ekpenyong and Imamuddeen Talba.

World Energy Council Nigeria said the board brings together experience in energy policy, upstream and downstream operations, regulation, investment, technology, research and enterprise development.