The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has called for the accelerated completion of its proposed 10-storey headquarters in Abuja, saying the facility will improve its operations and strengthen Nigeria’s appeal to investors.
Known as “The Barrel,” the building is located in Abuja’s Central Business District and is designed to accommodate between 900 and 1,000 staff. Construction of the facility began in 2020 but remains unfinished.
The delay has left the commission operating from smaller offices spread across different locations in the Federal Capital Territory, a situation the NUPRC says creates unnecessary difficulties for businesses dealing with the regulator.
During an inspection of the project, the Chairman of the NUPRC Board, Senator Magnus Abe, said the current arrangement could negatively affect the perception of Nigeria among international oil and gas investors.
He noted that companies coming into the country to discuss investments worth billions of dollars should not have to visit several NUPRC offices across Abuja to meet different departments.
According to Abe, completing the headquarters would bring the commission’s operations under one roof and create a more professional environment for engagement with industry stakeholders.
He said the building would also represent Nigeria’s confidence in its petroleum industry and contribute to the country’s image as an investment destination.
Abe further commended President Bola Tinubu for his support for the NUPRC board and the administration’s policies in the upstream oil and gas sector.
He said recent policy measures had contributed to renewed investment in the sector, with increased activity generating jobs, creating opportunities for businesses, supporting host communities and boosting government revenue.
The NUPRC Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, urged Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the contractor handling the project, to speed up construction and complete the headquarters by the first quarter of 2027.
Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria, Peer Lubasch, said the company would work towards meeting the proposed completion deadline.
