President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed Nigeria’s admission as the newest national member of the World Energy Council, describing the development as an important milestone for the country’s role in global energy policy. The President also congratulated the leadership of WEC Nigeria, including its chairman Abdulrazak Isa, chief executive officer Balawuni and the organisation’s inaugural board.
Tinubu expressed confidence that the Nigerian chapter would contribute to innovation, investment and sustainable energy development. The President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting WEC Nigeria as it works towards advancing secure, affordable and sustainable energy.
Nigeria’s membership provides an opportunity for the country to participate more actively in international discussions on energy policy and the future of the global energy system. The development comes at a time when Nigeria is pursuing reforms across its electricity, oil and gas and broader energy sectors.
The Federal Government has increasingly emphasised the importance of investment, energy security and diversification as it seeks to expand access to reliable energy. The Presidency said the new national membership would strengthen Nigeria’s participation in global energy conversations while supporting efforts to attract investment and encourage innovation.
Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO of the World Energy Council, expressed enthusiasm about Nigeria’s community membership.
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World Energy Council Membership an Opportunity
Nigeria’s admission as the newest National Member Committee of the World Energy Council is an important development for a country whose economy and national development remain deeply connected to energy. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the admission as a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s energy reforms and its leadership role in Africa.
That recognition is significant. But Nigeria must be careful not to confuse international recognition with domestic progress. The real value of joining the World Energy Council will be determined by what Nigeria does with the platform.
The World Energy Council is not simply another international organisation.
Established in 1923, it is a global, non-profit, non-political energy network working across oil, gas, electricity, nuclear energy, hydropower and renewable energy. Its network spans nearly 100 countries and includes thousands of member organisations. Its national committees provide a mechanism for governments, businesses, academics and other stakeholders to participate in energy dialogue and collaboration.
For Nigeria, this creates an opportunity to bring its energy challenges and opportunities into a much wider international conversation. That matters because Nigeria is simultaneously an energy producer, an energy-deficit country and a country attempting to transition towards a more diversified energy system.
Few issues demonstrate Nigeria’s development challenge as clearly as energy. The country has substantial oil and gas resources.
Yet millions of Nigerians still struggle to obtain reliable electricity. The country is also attempting to expand renewable energy while continuing to develop its oil and gas industry. That means Nigeria cannot approach the energy transition as a simple choice between fossil fuels and renewables.
It needs a practical strategy that expands energy access while improving reliability, affordability and investment. World Energy Council membership could help Nigeria participate in that wider debate.
Perhaps the biggest practical opportunity is investment. Energy infrastructure requires enormous amounts of capital. Nigeria needs investment across electricity generation, transmission, distribution, gas infrastructure, renewable energy, storage and other emerging technologies.
Membership of an international energy network can provide access to policymakers, investors, technology companies and energy experts from around the world.
But Nigeria must go beyond attending conferences. The country needs to present specific, investable projects. Investors need to know what opportunities exist, how projects will be regulated, how revenue will be generated and what risks they will face.
The World Energy Council platform can help Nigeria tell that story. It cannot substitute for a credible investment environment.
