The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority have pledged to deepen cooperation aimed at reducing regulatory conflicts and improving investor confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
The commitment was made during a meeting in Abuja where the newly appointed head of the NMDPRA, Rabiu Umar, visited the headquarters of the NUPRC for discussions with the commission’s chief executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.
Both agencies said closer collaboration was necessary to create a more stable and coordinated regulatory system across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the oil and gas sector.
In a statement issued by the NUPRC’s media and corporate communications unit, the regulators said they were determined to align their operations in line with the Petroleum Industry Act and remove uncertainties affecting operators and investors.
The agencies noted that overlapping responsibilities and policy inconsistencies had in the past created concerns within the industry, stressing that stronger cooperation would improve operational clarity and encourage fresh investments.
Eyesan said the partnership between both regulators was already contributing to stability in the sector, citing the absence of major fuel supply disruptions in recent months despite pressure in the global energy market.
She added that coordinated action among government institutions remained important for sustaining growth in oil production, refining, gas development, and infrastructure expansion.
Umar also described the relationship between both regulators as essential to securing Nigeria’s energy future, noting that better coordination would strengthen efficiency and policy consistency across the industry.
The two agencies further praised recent reforms introduced by the Federal Government, saying measures such as fiscal adjustments, security interventions, and regulatory harmonisation were helping to improve the business environment in the petroleum sector.
They expressed optimism that stronger institutional cooperation would position Nigeria as a more competitive destination for local and foreign energy investments.
The Petroleum Industry Act, signed into law in 2021, created separate regulatory bodies for Nigeria’s upstream and midstream/downstream petroleum operations, with the NUPRC overseeing exploration and production activities while the NMDPRA supervises refining, transportation, distribution, and product marketing.
