The nominees for Nigeria’s top petroleum regulators have outlined sweeping reforms aimed at plugging revenue leaks, enforcing discipline, and drawing new investments under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, nominated to lead the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Saidu Mohammed, nominated for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), made the pledges during their Senate screening on Thursday.
Both emphasized that the country’s oil and gas sector must embrace digital systems, enforce contracts, and maintain credible data management to remain competitive amid declining revenues and global energy transitions.
Eyesan, a former Executive Vice President at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, said reliance on manual processes has cost Nigeria significant value. She stressed that accurate, real-time data and transparent systems are critical for effective regulation. She also highlighted her role in resolving disputes with international partners, boosting offshore investments, and advancing gas development, including signing Nigeria’s first non-associated gas contract.
Mohammed focused on restoring order in Nigeria’s gas and petroleum supply chains. He said weak contractual frameworks have worsened gas shortages, especially in the power sector, and enforcing the Gas Network Code will stabilize supply and attract investor confidence. He also stressed the need to prioritize domestic refining and processing to safeguard local value, pledging to revive pipeline transportation, boost gas processing infrastructure, and strengthen product quality through in-house labs.
A chemical engineering graduate with decades of industry experience, Mohammed has held senior roles including Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Company and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company.
Senator Sumaila Kawu, chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), said the screening comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s energy sector and economic recovery. He confirmed that further engagement with the nominees will continue into January, with Senate confirmation expected to follow.
The appointments follow the resignation of the pioneer heads of both agencies, marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s oil and gas regulation under the Tinubu administration.
