Six months after assuming office as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan has introduced reforms aimed at improving regulatory efficiency, boosting investor confidence, and increasing oil and gas production.
Her leadership has focused on creating a more predictable regulatory environment, speeding up approvals, improving operational performance, and strengthening transparency within Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
The 2025 licensing round attracted strong participation from indigenous oil companies, international oil majors, and, for the first time, a notable number of international independent operators, reflecting growing confidence in Nigeria’s investment climate.
Eyesan described the level of participation as evidence that investors have renewed faith in the country’s oil and gas industry, stressing that maintaining a stable and transparent regulatory framework will be key to sustaining that confidence.
The commission also reported improved production performance, with Nigeria’s combined crude oil and condensate output reaching 1.735 million barrels per day in June 2026, exceeding the country’s OPEC production quota of 1.5 million barrels per day and marking the highest crude production level since April 2020.
Production has recorded steady monthly growth throughout the year, while natural gas production has also increased significantly. Domestic gas supply reached a record level, with non-associated gas production surpassing associated gas for the first time, reflecting greater investment in dedicated gas development projects.
The commission noted that gas flaring has also declined, supporting Nigeria’s commitment to reducing routine gas flaring and meeting its long-term environmental targets.
Since taking office, Eyesan has prioritised faster regulatory approvals, digital transformation of the commission’s operations, and stronger collaboration with industry stakeholders through regular engagement forums involving major operators and regulatory agencies.
Among the commission’s recent initiatives is the approval of a major offshore seismic survey covering over 11,700 square kilometres in the Eastern Niger Delta. The project is expected to provide high-quality geological data to support future exploration and investment decisions.
The NUPRC is also working to simplify regulatory processes by reducing overlapping requirements among government agencies, with plans to introduce a single-window system that will lower operating costs and improve efficiency for investors.
The commission recently received recognition from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for its transparency in publishing oil and gas industry data, a move expected to strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Looking ahead, the commission remains focused on achieving the Federal Government’s production targets of two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030.
Eyesan also announced plans to introduce service-level agreements that will set clear timelines for regulatory approvals, while requiring upstream operators to adopt measurement-based methane and greenhouse gas reporting from January 2027 in line with Nigeria’s climate commitments.
She emphasised that beyond attracting investment and increasing production, developing skilled manpower remains essential to sustaining long-term growth in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry.
