Nigeria has formally applied to join the International Energy Agency as an associate member, according to the agency’s Executive Director, Fatih Birol.

Birol disclosed on Wednesday that the request was conveyed in a letter from Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.

He described the development as a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s engagement with the global energy body.

The announcement came as the IEA warned that global oil supply may fall short of demand this year due to the ongoing Iran conflict and its impact on Middle East oil production.

Nigeria remains Africa’s largest oil producer, with crude oil output exceeding 1.4 million barrels per day.