The secretary-general of OPEC, Muhammad Barkindo died aged 63 on Tuesday night in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, according to officials.
His death was announced on Wednesday morning in a tweet by the head of Nigeria’s state oil company (NNPC).
The circumstances of the death remain unclear.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) termed his death "a profound loss to the entire OPEC family, the oil industry and the international community".
Mr Barkindo's six-year tenure was due to end this month and he was visiting his home country as part of farewell activities.
He was instrumental in signing a deal between OPEC and non-OPEC member countries, including Russia, on stabilising oil output in the global market in 2016.
He was also spearheading the organisation’s drive towards recovery following the unprecedented shocks in the global oil market caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He had met President Muhammadu Buhari earlier on Tuesday afternoon at the presidential palace where the president described him as a "worthy ambassador" of Nigeria.
Mr Buhari had also ordered a "befitting reception" event to honour him.
Latest Stories
-
Kwadaso onion traders reject new location, express fear over future eviction
9 mins -
Pensions: 81% of pensioners had benefit shortfalls in 2020 – Abdallah Mashud
12 mins -
All Regional Games: Torch relay ceremony hits Oti Region
14 mins -
CSO calls for immediate removal of COCOBOD CEO from office
20 mins -
How a young female geologist’s thesis is paving the way for Ghana’s Green Mineral Future 5 decades later
23 mins -
Pensions: The last time government paid Tier-2 funds was in June 2023 – Angel Carbonu
27 mins -
Submit audited statements by May or face sanctions – Akufo-Addo warns heads of SOEs
39 mins -
Samuel Inkoom’s SIFMA hold successful football tournament
46 mins -
Propak propelling growth of Ghana’s manufacturing industry for exports
48 mins -
Academic curriculum must reflect industry needs – Stanbic Bank CEO
54 mins -
Arnold Schwarzenegger says Sylvester Stallone rivalry helped his career
1 hour -
CSOs challenge KPMG’s claim linking rise in petroleum consumption to SML
1 hour -
Latif Abubakar partners Italian Embassy to stage ‘The Licence’
1 hour -
Decision to pay presidential spouses unconstitutional – Supreme Court
1 hour -
Government asked to address issues of financial mismanagement within SOEs
2 hours