The Secretary General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Haitham Al-Ghais, said Nigeria had made positive contributions to the organisation since becoming a member in 1971.
Al-Ghais said this in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the ongoing 7th Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2024) on Thursday in Abuja.
He described Nigeria as a critical and integral part of the organisation, and that the country had played outstanding roles with positive contributions that had impacted the decisions of OPEC.
He extolled the valuable contributions of Nigeria’s public servants who had served as OPEC Secretary-General and President of OPEC Ministerial Conference, among others.
“It is an honour for me to come to Nigeria, to participate in the 7th summit organised by one of our important member countries in OPEC.
“It is my first official visit to Nigeria since my assumption of office as the OPEC Secretary-General, a long overdue visit.
“I congratulate Nigeria for hosting such a widely attended and effective gathering at a time when it is critically needed not only for Nigeria but for Africa and the world, where energy leads in discussion.
“I had an opportunity of meeting many Nigerian dignitaries and we exchanged views on the status of the global energy market, transition and its implication for Africa and the world at large,” he said.
