Nigeria has joined the World Energy Council (WEC), a development expected to strengthen the country’s voice in global energy policy discussions and create new opportunities for investment and international collaboration.

The development was announced in a statement on Wednesday, which also unveiled the Governing Board of the newly established World Energy Council Nigeria.

According to the statement, WEC Nigeria will serve as an independent, impartial and technology-neutral platform bringing together government, industry, finance, academia and civil society to address the country’s energy challenges through practical and evidence-based solutions.

The council said Nigeria’s membership comes at a crucial time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise capital to drive industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.

The Governing Board Is chaired by the Co-founder and Chairman of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Abdulrazaq Isa, while former Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Limited, Bala Wunti, will serve as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer.

Other members of the board are Professor Wumi Iledare, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, Mrs Aisha Farida Katagum, Dr Ainojie “Alex” Irune, Dr Emmanuel Okon, Dr Victor Ekpenyong and Dr Imamuddeen Talba.

Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the World Energy Council, Angela Wilkinson, welcomed Nigeria into the organisation, saying the country has an important leadership role to play in shaping global energy conversations.

“Nigeria has a significant leadership role, and the Member Committee will help bring that expertise and voice onto the world stage at the Riyadh World Energy Congress in April 2027 and beyond,” she said.

Speaking on the development, Isa said WEC Nigeria would provide a platform for stronger national and African leadership within the global energy community.

“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.

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

“WEC Nigeria will connect evidence with leadership, leadership with capital and capital with action, bringing Nigerian and African realities into global energy thinking while translating global insight into practical, investable solutions at home,” he said.

The statement added that through the World Energy Council’s network of more than 3,000 member organisations across over 100 countries, WEC Nigeria will help connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technologies, partnerships and investment opportunities, while promoting evidence-based dialogue and informed policymaking across the energy sector. (The Sun)

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