Oil and Gas Integrity Forum hails NUPRC, Komolafe for driving PIA success

The Nigeria Oil and Gas Integrity Forum has praised the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for its “critical and patriotic role” in the successful implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), a landmark law seen as a game-changer for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.In a statement issued on Saturday, the forum’s President, Vivian Okorafor, pointed out that the PIA would have had minimal impact without the “visionary, competent, and resolute regulatory leadership” demonstrated by NUPRC, particularly under the leadership of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe.

“The PIA was a significant achievement, but the true success lies in its execution. Without the strong and transparent enforcement by NUPRC, we would still be dealing with regulatory uncertainties, capital flight, and lack of investor trust,” the statement read.The forum also commended Komolafe for creating a regulatory environment that encourages growth, rather than acting as a bureaucratic obstacle.



Under NUPRC’s guidance, key investment indicators in Nigeria’s upstream sector have shown consistent positive movement.“Historically, regulatory opacity drained investments from our oil industry. But under Engr.

Komolafe’s leadership, the NUPRC has reversed that trend. Transparent bidding rounds, clear licensing processes, and streamlined procedures have restored confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, positioning us competitively on the global stage,” Okorafor remarked.She also acknowledged the Commission’s focus on promoting Nigerian content and fostering the growth of indigenous companies, recognising these efforts as pivotal for broad-based economic development.

“One of the significant transformations under NUPRC is the empowerment of indigenous operators. For the first time in decades, we are witnessing more Nigerian companies actively participating in the upstream sector, thanks to policies centred on transparency, merit, and locally sourced expertise,” she said.The forum further applauded NUPRC’s adoption of digital platforms that have simplified regulatory compliance, boosted operational efficiency, and reduced corruption within the oil and gas sector.

“Technology is being deployed effectively to close loopholes. Licensing, reporting, and monitoring are now largely digital, making it much harder for underhanded practices to prevail. This is part of the transformative thinking that NUPRC leadership has brought to the regulatory landscape,” she added.

Okorafor also highlighted one of the most significant impacts of the PIA: the new fiscal regime that has made Nigeria a more attractive destination for upstream investments, compared to the period before the PIA’s enactment.“Before the PIA and the new fiscal policies enforced by NUPRC, Nigeria was losing out to other African countries like Angola and Ghana,” she explained.“Today, our fiscal terms are competitive once more, our procedures are predictable, and the regulatory environment is far more investment-friendly.

”The forum urged President Bola Tinubu to continue supporting independent regulatory bodies like NUPRC, and called on stakeholders across the sector to collaborate with the Commission to further solidify the progress made.“We urge the President to shield institutions like NUPRC from political interference. Nigeria must focus on building strong institutions, not individuals.

Komolafe and his team have demonstrated the power of professionalism in leadership. We must nurture and protect that,” Okorafor said.She concluded by acknowledging that while challenges remain in the oil and gas industry, Nigeria is “finally on the right track,” thanks to the PIA and NUPRC’s leadership.

“No law is perfect. No reform is without its challenges. But with NUPRC’s steadfast handling of the PIA, Nigeria now has a real opportunity to write a new chapter in its oil and gas history, one that is defined by transparency, growth, and shared prosperity.

”The Nigeria Oil and Gas Integrity Forum committed to continuing its monitoring of sector developments and supporting initiatives that promote transparency, expand opportunities, and ensure that Nigeria’s energy wealth benefits all its citizens.The post Oil and Gas Integrity Forum hails NUPRC, Komolafe for driving PIA success appeared first on Nigerian NewsDirect..