The Nigeria Oil and Gas Integrity Forum has hailed the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission for playing a “critical and patriotic role” in the successful implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, describing the Commission’s efforts as pivotal in stabilizing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the forum’s President, Vivian Okorafor, emphasized that without the “visionary, competent, and firm regulatory leadership” exhibited by the NUPRC under the stewardship of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the passage of the PIA would have had minimal impact.
“The PIA was a monumental achievement, but the real success story is what followed. Without the solid and transparent enforcement of the law by NUPRC, we would still be grappling with regulatory uncertainties, capital flight, and investor distrust.
“Today, because of strong leadership at the NUPRC, Nigeria’s upstream sector has regained the confidence of both local and international investors,” the statement read.
The forum further praised Komolafe for fostering a regulatory environment that drives growth rather than stifling it with bureaucracy.
According to Okorafor, under the Commission’s leadership, key investment indicators in the sector have witnessed steady and positive improvement.
“In the past, regulatory opacity drained our oil industry of investments. But the NUPRC under Engr. Komolafe has reversed that trend. Transparent bid rounds, clear licensing processes, streamlined procedures these have restored faith in Nigeria’s petroleum sector and placed us on a competitive global footing once again,” Okorafor stated.
She also commended the Commission’s deliberate push to promote Nigerian content and support indigenous companies, noting that these efforts were essential for broad-based economic growth.
“One of the quiet revolutions happening under the NUPRC is the deliberate empowerment of indigenous operators. For the first time in decades, we are seeing more Nigerian companies participating actively in the upstream space, thanks to policies that favour transparency, merit, and homegrown expertise,” she said.
In addition, the forum applauded the Commission’s introduction of digital platforms aimed at simplifying regulatory compliance, improving operational efficiency, and curbing corruption within the sector.
“Technology is now being deployed smartly to plug leakages. Licensing, reporting, and monitoring are now largely digital, making it difficult for underhanded dealings to thrive. This is part of the transformational thinking that the NUPRC leadership has brought into the regulatory ecosystem,” Okorafor added.
The forum’s recognition of the NUPRC underscores the growing consensus that effective regulatory leadership is crucial to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential in the global oil and gas industry.