Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CCE NUPRC
…Surpasses OPEC targets as rig count rises to nearly 70 with over 40 rigs active.
…Field Development Plans worth approximately $20 billion.
-Felix Douglas
Giving his closing remarks at the two-day strategic workshop organised by the Corporate Communications and Media Unit of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Chief Commission Executive (CCE), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe stated that the engagement underscores the high value in which the Commission holds the media.
He was represented by Efemona Bassey, Deputy Director of Human Resources, Corporate Services and Administration at NUPRC.
In his words: “your strategic role as society’s watchdogs and the stewards of public trusts on information dissemination.”
“It is therefore clear that at the heart of both our missions, yours as the Fourth Estate of the Realm and ours, as a regulatory institution, is a shared commitment to openness, accountability and service to the Nigerian people.”
According to the NUPRC boss, the workshop was conceived with shared purpose in mind, to give a deeper, behind-the-scenes understanding of the Commission’s work and Nigeria’s dynamic upstream petroleum industry.
“Over the past two days, our subject-matter experts from exploration, development, production, acreage management, economic regulation, host community relations, and other critical departments have offered you first-hand insights into the sector’s evolving realities.”
One central takeaway from these engagements is that, globally, investments in oil and gas are declining as countries intensify the shift towards cleaner energy, Engr. Komolafe added.
Despite this global headwind, Nigeria has continued to record steady, measurable progress in the upstream sector. This has been driven by the Commission’s regulatory instruments developed under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and further reinforced by President Bola Tinubu’s far-reaching Executive Orders.
Engr. Komolafe revealed that Nigeria’s daily crude oil production has, on multiple occasions, exceeded 1.7 million barrels per day, demonstrating the country’s capacity to surpass OPEC targets.
At present Nigeria’s rig count has risen to nearly 70, with over 40 rigs active. Final Investment Decisions valued in billions of dollars have been taken and within the last 10 months, the country has approved Field Development Plans worth approximately $20 billion.
Looking ahead, NUPRC remains fully committed to national aspiration of adding one million incremental barrels of oil per day to daily production profile.
“To this end, the Commission will conduct another licensing round on December 1, 2025, one that we anticipate will be even more transparent and globally competitive than the 2024 round. This initiative is designed to open new frontiers, unlock fresh prospects and further strengthen our reserves base.”
Notwithstanding, the NUPRC CCE, said the reforms attract much-needed investments; the role of the media becomes more critical. Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading producer depends not just on policy, regulation and geology, but also on how the nation’s story is told. The oil and gas sector is highly sensitive to perception and reporting has the power to reassure investors or deter them.
“It is therefore essential that while you continue to inform the public, such reportage remains factual, contextual and development oriented. The narrative must reflect Nigeria’s aspirations, opportunities, and progress, not merely its challenges. In this regard, I once again urge you members of the Fourth Estate, to put the national interest at the center of your work, as the country competes on the global stage for energy investments.”
The NUPRC helmsman said the Commission remains committed to deepening transparency. As the custodian of upstream data, the Commission will consistently publish updates on its website, across its social media platforms and through the Commission’s quarterly magazine, The Upstream Gaze.
“We will continue to strengthen these channels and expand access to accurate, timely information. More so, we remain dedicated to nurturing our relationship with the media because we recognize that a strong partnership between the regulator and the press ultimately serves the Nigerian people.”
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