By Teddy Nwanunobi
Ahead of Nigeria’s 50th anniversary as a member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the world oil body has described Nigeria’s membership as “a day of historic importance for both Nigeria and OPEC”.
Nigeria joined OPEC on July 12, 1971 as its 11th member.
The Organisation, through a statement, has declared its readiness to mark Nigeria’s Golden Anniversary as its member.
“The OPEC Secretariat will mark the 50th anniversary of Nigeria joining the Organisation on July 12, 2021. Nigeria was unanimously accepted as the then 11th member of OPEC on July 12, 1971, it was a day of historic importance for both Nigeria and OPEC,” it said.
To commemorate this landmark date, the OPEC Secretariat has pieced together a special OPEC Bulletin.
The edition, OPEC said, will look at the history of Nigeria’s relationship with OPEC, including the many giants of Nigerian public service who have been responsible for the successful five-decade relationship that has evolved with OPEC, interview high-level figures, and examine and explore other topical issues surrounding Nigeria.
“The focal interview is with the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, an OPEC veteran for over 40 years. President Buhari has been heavily involved in the Organisation’s affairs, and he is currently the only serving Head of State in the world who made his career by being intensely involved in the OPEC family,” the statement said.
OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, said that Nigeria’s Golden Anniversary membership is a cause for celebration.
“OPEC has been fortunate to benefit from the talent, wisdom and extraordinary capabilities of generations of Nigerian public servants. They have been integral to what the Organisation has achieved. Over the course of the five decades of OPEC membership, Nigeria has been a constructive partner, seeking consensus, and always encouraging compromise. The special OPEC Bulletin highlights all of this.”
“The unique relationship between OPEC and Nigeria has been mutually beneficial and laden with a plethora of successes. The Golden Anniversary of Nigeria’s membership is indeed a cause for celebration. I very much hope that all Nigerians will celebrate with us, not only reflecting on the past, but also considering how we can build a more prosperous future together,” Barkindo said.
The statement added that the OPEC Secretary General will also deliver a keynote address to the 20th Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference that takes place from July 5-8, which will make reference to the positivity and longevity of the relationship between Nigeria and OPEC.