Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — As the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) transition under newly confirmed leadership, industry stakeholders have articulated a broad agenda they say is necessary to reinvigorate the nation’s oil and gas sector and align regulatory practice with the evolving demands of domestic and global markets.
The new leadership at both regulatory agencies comes at a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s petroleum industry, with Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan assuming office as the chief executive of the NUPRC and Saidu Mohammed stepping into the role of NMDPRA chief executive following the resignations of their predecessors. The appointments were recently confirmed by the Senate, signalling renewed momentum for sector governance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Central to stakeholder expectations is a call for bold reforms that move beyond traditional oversight functions toward proactive, growth‑oriented regulation that can unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s energy resources. Industry advocates and policy groups, including the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), welcomed the leadership changes and urged the new commissioners to prioritise policies that advance energy sovereignty, strengthen domestic refining capacity and accelerate investments across the petroleum value chain. According to CPPE founder Dr Muda Yusuf, reducing import dependence and expanding local capacity are non‑negotiable elements of future regulatory frameworks.
Eyesan, the new NUPRC boss, has already publicly outlined a vision for repositioning the upstream sector as a catalyst for investment, job creation and sustainable growth. In her initial engagements since assuming office on December 23, she pledged to transform the NUPRC into a “business enabler” that supports industry stakeholders through modernised regulatory systems, credible data management and widespread digitisation of processes. Her agenda emphasises transparency and operational efficiency as key ingredients for restoring investor confidence and drawing capital back into Nigeria’s upstream petroleum operations.
Stakeholders have noted that enhanced digitisation will be crucial in addressing longstanding challenges such as manual regulatory processes and fragmented systems, which have historically impeded real‑time monitoring, asset integrity tracking and effective enforcement of compliance. By embracing digital tools and data‑driven oversight, industry experts argue that the NUPRC can better align Nigeria’s upstream regulatory environment with international best practices, support expanded production goals and improve the sector’s contribution to national revenue.
A strong focus on gas development has also emerged as an integral part of the reform agenda. With global energy markets increasingly turning toward gas as a transitional fuel in the drive toward net‑zero emissions, stakeholders argue that robust regulatory frameworks must prioritise increased gas output, infrastructure investments and policies that facilitate reliable supply to domestic power plants and industrial users. This emphasis resonates with Eyesan’s expressed ambition to significantly boost gas production alongside crude oil output, reinforcing Nigeria’s energy security and economic resilience.
At the NMDPRA, stakeholders similarly anticipate a renewed drive to strengthen midstream and downstream operations through stricter enforcement of contractual obligations, improved quality assurance mechanisms and initiatives that revitalise domestic processing and refining capacity. Industry participants contend that effective midstream regulation is essential to stabilising product supply, reducing market volatility and enhancing competitiveness both at home and in regional export markets. Although specifics from Mohammed’s agenda are still emerging, his professional background and prior commitments suggest regulatory emphasis on pipeline integrity, contractual discipline and investment promotion will be key pillars.
Beyond technical and economic priorities, stakeholders have stressed the importance of collaborative engagement between the regulators, industry operators, investors and civil society groups. Many contend that inclusive dialogue will foster greater alignment on policy direction, enhance transparency in licensing and compliance, and build trust between regulators and the business community. By integrating diverse perspectives into policy formulation and execution, proponents believe the sector can overcome past bottlenecks and chart a path toward sustainable growth.
Local content development and community participation have also found a place in stakeholder conversations. Advocates argue that regulatory frameworks should do more to uplift indigenous companies, expand local capacity in technical and managerial roles, and ensure that host communities benefit meaningfully from petroleum sector activities. This broader social dimension, they say, is critical to fostering equitable growth and enhancing the industry’s long‑term stability.
Energy sector analysts note that while the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021 already provides a framework for deeper reforms, much of its promise remains unrealised due to implementation gaps and capacity constraints. They emphasise that leadership under the new NUPRC and NMDPRA executives presents an opportunity to operationalise key elements of the legislation, including improved fiscal regimes, streamlined licensing and predictable investment conditions that align with global energy transitions.
Critically, stakeholders have underlined that regulatory success will depend not only on vision but on consistent execution, efficient inter‑agency collaboration and sustained political support. With Nigeria aiming to increase its crude oil output and leverage gas as a strategic economic asset, regulatory agencies must act with agility, integrity and strategic foresight in order to capitalise on global demand and drive domestic growth.
As the new leadership at the NUPRC and NMDPRA begins to implement their respective mandates, industry observers will be closely watching how these articulated agendas translate into policy shifts, regulatory action and measurable outcomes for Nigeria’s energy sector. The success of these efforts, supporters argue, could redefine the nation’s role in global energy markets and contribute significantly to economic diversification and growth.
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