Oil Producer, Refiner Nigeria Becomes IEA Associate Member

Nigeria has been admitted as an association country to the International Energy Agency, the entity said on Thursday, further raising its profile within the global energy sector after gaining more prominence as a supplier of refined products during the Iran war. Its admission was unanimously approved by the IEA governing board, according to a statement on Thursday. Beyond a long-established oil sector, Africa's most populous country is one of the world's fastest-growing markets for decentralized solar as it strives to expand availability of power to millions who still lack it and go without clean solutions for cooking. "Nigeria becoming part of the world's energy authority marks a milestone for global energy governance," said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. "As Nigeria works to strengthen energy security, support economic growth and expand energy access, deeper cooperation with the IEA will bring important benefits for both sides." The IEA's association program, founded in 2015, now has 14 members as a result of Nigeria's entry. The countries work with the IEA on providing secure, affordable and sustainable energy systems, the IEA said. The agency said its fully-fledged.