• Abdulrazaq Isa is new chair, Wunti emerges CEO
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Nigeria has formally rejoined the World Energy Council (WEC), re-establishing its place in the global network of energy leaders with the inauguration of a new National Member Committee and Governing Board expected to strengthen the country’s engagement in international energy policy, investment and sustainability discussions.
The renewed membership is expected to provide Nigeria with an independent, technology-neutral platform that brings together stakeholders from government, industry, finance, academia and civil society to address the country’s energy challenges, particularly the need to balance energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability.
As part of the reconstitution, the Council announced the appointment of the Co-founder and Chairman of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa, as Chairman of the Governing Board, while former Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Limited, Mr. Bala Wunti, will serve as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian chapter.
Other members of the Governing Board, according to the organisation, are Prof. Wumi Iledare, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Mrs. Aisha Farida Katagum, Dr. Ainojie “Alex” Irune, Dr. Emmanuel Okon, Dr. Victor Ekpenyong and Dr. Imamuddeen Talba.
According to the Council, the composition of the board reflects a broad cross section of Nigeria’s energy industry, bringing together expertise in policy, regulation, upstream and downstream operations, investment, technology, research and enterprise development.
Welcoming Nigeria back into the global organisation, the Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the World Energy Council, Dr. Angela Wilkinson, described the country’s return as significant both for Africa and the global energy community.
“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.
The Council noted that Nigeria’s return comes at a critical period as the country seeks to expand access to electricity, strengthen energy security, accelerate natural gas development and mobilise the investment required to support industrialisation and long-term economic growth.
It explained that the Nigerian chapter would utilise the World Energy Council’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to support evidence-based policy discussions, encourage collaboration across the energy value chain and ensure that Nigerian as well as wider African perspectives are better represented in global energy debates.
Commenting on the development, Isa said Nigeria’s return to the Council represented more than a restoration of membership, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen both national and continental leadership on global energy issues.
“Nigeria’s return marks more than renewed participation; it creates 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 stated.
Also speaking, Wunti said the organisation would focus on connecting policy, investment and practical implementation to support the country’s evolving energy needs.
“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 Council explained that through its global network of more than 3,000 member organisations across over 100 countries, Nigeria would gain broader access to international knowledge, emerging technologies, strategic partnerships and investment opportunities capable of supporting the country’s energy transition and long-term development objectives.
Founded in 1923, the Council is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, promoting collaboration and practical action across the global energy system.
Nigeria’s renewed membership is expected to strengthen its participation in international energy dialogue ahead of the World Energy Congress scheduled to hold in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in April 2027.