The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has announced plans to completely digitise its internal communication and operational systems within the next 60 days, as part of efforts to improve efficiency, transparency, and regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The Commission’s Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this during a working visit by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Musa Adar, to the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja.

According to Eyesan, the initiative will eliminate paper-based processes across the Commission, ensuring that all internal communications and workflows are handled electronically. She explained that the move would speed up decision-making, improve record tracking, and help quickly identify operational bottlenecks.

She also noted that earlier digital reforms have already delivered results, particularly in royalty payments. Since the Commission adopted automated systems, compliance levels among operators have improved significantly compared to previous years when defaults were common.

Eyesan said full digitisation would further strengthen regulatory monitoring, enhance accountability, and support the broader reforms in the upstream petroleum sector.

During the visit, Adar called for closer collaboration between NUPRC and NEITI, especially through improved data sharing and coordination. He said stronger cooperation would boost transparency, increase investor confidence, and ensure strict adherence to the Petroleum Industry Act.

He also encouraged the Commission to actively participate in the 2026 global conference of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to stay aligned with international transparency standards and best practices.

Nigeria has stepped up reforms in the oil and gas industry since the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021, which restructured regulatory institutions and placed greater emphasis on transparency, accountability, and revenue optimisation.