The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening indigenous capacity and strengthening investor confidence within the country’s oil and gas industry.
This was revealed at the 2025 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair, when the Commission presented its plan for the upstream petroleum industry’s expansion and sustainability.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, the Executive Commissioner for Health, Safety, Environment and Community, John Tonlagha, emphasized the Commission’s strategic focus on building local capacity and attracting new investment as critical elements for industry transformation.
Reinforcing the event’s theme, ‘Driving Investment and Production Growth: Shaping a Sustainable Future for Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry Through Indigenous Capacity Development,’ Komolafe said there was an urgent need to reposition Nigeria’s oil and gas landscape through robust upstream investment.
Beyond upstream capital, the CCE noted that “regulatory transparency and infrastructure development can reposition the industry.”
Komolafe also reassured stakeholders of the Commission’s continued efforts to provide a stable investment climate.
“The NUPRC has made efforts to ensure investors have confidence in the legal and fiscal frameworks to ensure sustainable production and growth,” he said.
Outlining the Commission’s long-term vision, he added that “sustainable value creation and shared prosperity, developing local talent and businesses” are not only strategic imperatives but also “a moral obligation.”
He further reminded operators of their responsibilities to the environment while seeking investment and production expansion.
According to him, the Commission’s recently launched Upstream Decarbonization and Sustainability Blueprint offers a practical path toward “low carbon operations and Nigeria’s net zero aspirations.”
Komolafe also pointed to the establishment of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, as a major milestone for inclusive growth. He described the trust and its regulatory framework as “vital instruments for fostering inclusive development.”