The Association of Energy Correspondents, Abuja (AECAF), has endorsed the newly appointed leadership of the World Energy Council (WEC) Nigeria, stating that the country's return to the global energy body arrives at a pivotal moment for energy diplomacy. In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 27, and seen by Legit.ng, AECAF congratulated Abdulrazaq Isa, OFR, on his appointment as Chairman of WEC Nigeria, and Bala Wunti as Chief Executive Officer. The association also welcomed the inaugural board, which it said brings together deep expertise across energy, regulation, finance, academia, and professional associations.
Why the WEC Return Matters for Nigeria
AECAF framed Nigeria's re-entry into the World Energy Council as more than just symbolic membership, arguing that it provides the country with a meaningful seat at the table in global energy policy discussions. The group said the council could become a vehicle for attracting investment, forging technology partnerships, and strengthening institutional ties that serve Nigeria's energy interests internationally.
On Isa, the association highlighted his track record in indigenous refining and industrial development as directly relevant to Nigeria's goals of expanding domestic production and adding value within the energy sector. It said Wunti's more than three decades of industry experience in strategy, policy development, revenue optimisation, and sectoral reform position him well to convert Nigeria's WEC membership into concrete partnerships and initiatives.
Call for Balanced Energy Transition
AECAF stressed that Nigeria must use its renewed participation to push for a balanced approach to the energy transition, one that protects its oil and gas assets while also opening space for renewables and new technologies. The group warned that energy access, affordability, and economic development must not be crowded out of global discussions by an exclusive focus on decarbonisation.
The association also urged the new WEC Nigeria board to build an inclusive platform that brings government, private sector players, academics, and professional bodies together around practical solutions to the country's energy challenges. It called for active media engagement, saying Nigerians need to understand what the country's renewed presence in the global energy community means for them.
Call for Inclusive Engagement and Media Outreach
AECAF commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as the leadership that made Nigeria's return to the council possible, saying the move aligns with broader efforts to reposition Nigeria as an active participant in global energy diplomacy. Established in 2007, AECAF covers Nigeria's oil, gas, and wider energy sector from Abuja and the northern region. The association said it would maintain a working relationship with the new WEC Nigeria leadership and continue to support informed public discourse on energy policy and investment.
Previously, Legit.ng reported that an energy consultancy group withdrew its demand for the removal of Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), saying its original position rested on an incomplete picture of the company's finances. Dr Ibrahim Danjuma, national president of the Association of Energy Policy and Development Consultants (AEPDC), made the announcement at a press conference in Kaduna on Friday. He said the group had reviewed additional documents and spoken with industry stakeholders after issuing its initial statement, and that what it found was substantially different from the account that had informed its earlier criticism.
