Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has applauded the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, for his outstanding leadership and the reforms that have transformed the nation’s upstream oil and gas industry within four years.
Lokpobiri gave the commendation when Komolafe, accompanied by top NUPRC officials, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja to mark the Commission’s fourth anniversary.
In a statement issued by NUPRC’s Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the minister described the Commission’s progress as exceptional, noting that its achievements within a short period rival those of older institutions.
He said the NUPRC had rebuilt investor confidence, improved regulatory systems, and strengthened Nigeria’s compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
“The NUPRC may be just four years old, but its accomplishments reflect decades of experience,” Lokpobiri said. “Under your leadership, confidence has returned to the industry, and new investments are coming in.”
He encouraged the Commission to sustain its momentum and continue focusing on transparency, regulation, and host community engagement — especially through the Host Community Development Trust Fund, which he credited for maintaining peace in oil-producing regions.
In his remarks, Komolafe described the anniversary as a key moment in the agency’s development, saying the successes recorded were possible through the support of President Bola Tinubu and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
According to him, the NUPRC has created a more transparent and predictable regulatory environment that has earned international recognition. “We have developed and gazetted 24 regulations that have improved clarity, investor confidence, and business growth in the upstream sector,” he stated.
Established in 2021 under the Petroleum Industry Act, the NUPRC replaced the regulatory functions of the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources, focusing on investment promotion, data transparency, and effective community management in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Observers say the Commission’s steady progress under Komolafe has helped position the country’s upstream industry for greater stability and long-term growth.
