Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan CCE of NUPRC
…Eyesan played a key role in development of PIA, unlocking substantial upstream investment opportunities.
…Maritime and energy must continue to create space for women to lead, recognizing that inclusive leadership strengthens institutions, drives better outcomes.
-Felix Douglas
Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan is the Commission Chief Executive (CCE) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) with over 30 years of experience across technical, commercial and policy roles in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
She began her career at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in 1992 and rose to serve as Executive Vice President upstream NNPC limited.
Mrs. Eyesan played a key role in the development of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and led the renegotiation of Nigerian deep water production sharing contracts, delivering improved physical outcomes for the country and unlocking substantial upstream investment opportunities.
She is an international recognized energy leader who has demonstrated strong leadership innovations, strategic planning, commercial negotiations and institutional reforms.
Mrs. Eyesan has represented Nigeria at major global and regional energy platforms on hydrocarbon development and global energy transition and she is an advocate for mentorship and gender inclusion in the energy industry.
As Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mrs. Eyesan deep official expertise, strategic insight and global capacity, positions the Commission to strengthen regulatory effectiveness.
Presently, the Commission attracts investment and support sustainable development of Nigerians upstream petroleum industry.
It was on record at some point in Nigeria when there was stagnation without budget, NNPC owed IOCs billions of dollars, to her credit, Mrs. Eyesan seamlessly with greater efforts and humility bailed Nigeria out of the ugly situation.
By the time she left NNPC the state owned company did not owe the IOCs.
Mrs. Eyesan was WIME 2025 Lifetime achiever.
Speaking at the WIME awards night, Mrs. Eyesan made it known that the industry has been an interesting one for over 30 years of working in it.
“Looking at the industry 30 years ago, what I see today could never have happened in a gathering where women sit in a majority and we have a few he for she men sitting in our midst. This could never have happened but today indeed, WIME made history.”
Delivering her keynote address, the NUPRC CCE made it known that WIME awards is an occasion to celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership in two of the most vital sectors shaping the world, maritime and energy industries that quite keep the global energy economy moving.
“They connect nations, power development, enable trade and sustain modern life. Yet for many decades, these sectors were perceived as inaccessible, especially to women. Tonight, we are not only challenging that narrative, we are rewriting the narrative. I recognize this forum as an extraordinary gathering of visionaries, innovators and trailblazers whose works continue to redefine what is possible across our nation’s maritime and energy value chain, winning has consistently identified potential and created pathways through which women rise to positions of impact.”
Mrs. Eyesan described WIME as championing progress and recognition of women who have navigated complexities, overcome barriers and deliver impact in environments that demand technical excellence, courage and vision.
WIME was celebrating incredible milestones, but also acknowledging the journey behind the achievement.
The NUPRC CCE said award recipients and nominees matter most because they have demonstrated that leadership in maritime and energy is not defined by tradition, but by competence, integrity and ability to see opportunity where others saw limits.
Their work spans, ships, shorelines, rigs, renewables, boardrooms, ridge decks and courtrooms. Each contribution strengthens the resilience and future readiness of both industries.
Advocates and allies have demonstrated an enduring commitment to excellence.
“We cannot advance with destiny thinking but build the future by rejecting outdated limitations and expanding opportunities for women across every sphere.”
Mrs. Eyesan pointed out that the future of the maritime and energy is being reshaped by profound change, digitalization, decarbonization, energy transition, climate responsibility and aim of evolving global supply chains.
The challenges arising from such change cannot be met with uniform thinking or narrow perspectives; they demand diverse leadership, thoughts, inclusive decision making and talent.
The NUPRC Chief Executive reaffirmed her personal commitment in amplifying and strengthening advocacy and ensuring that impact is felt across policy and practice within maritime and energy sector.
She noted that NUPRC is aligning with federal government commitment to gender inclusion by promoting diversity in licensing workforce participation and stakeholder engagement.
The Commission is strengthening policies that support capacity development for women in technical roles and advocating for gender responsive governance across the sector.
She appreciated the Lifetime award she received last year as a defining moment in her life.
“I had just retired a few months earlier and was really shocked to receive a mail inviting me to the award.”
“It was touching for me to see the caliber of women and see the progress, and more importantly the recognition that I was given.”
She appreciated the male peers, he for she mentors. “Your role is also essential. True progress is achieved when leadership is shared, when opportunity is fair and when excellence is recognized without bias.”
Mrs. Eyesan encouraged young and emerging professionals that the path ahead is filled with opportunities and transformation in these industries; maritime and energy need their insights, curiosity and courage.
If they aspire to lead offshore operations, pioneer energy innovations or shape policy, there’s room for young people to make impact. Greatness is cultivated through learning, persistence and the willingness to embrace challenges.
She told young professionals to believe in their capacity to excel, seek mentorship and remain steadfast in the pursuit of excellence.
The CCE told the trailblazers that their courage and vision continue to redefine possibilities with commitment to equity, capacity building and innovation which will open doors to others and creates pathways when none existed.
Mrs. Eyesan believed that advancing women is central to societal and economic progress. Achievements must translate into action advocacy and impact.
According to her WIME awards represents not only excellence but responsibility.
“Let us also review our collective commitment to build industries where talents thrive regardless of gender, where innovation is fueled by diversity and where leadership reflects the world we serve, we must remain committed to education as the foundation of empowerment and uphold dignity without compromise.”
The NUPRC Chief Executive said protecting women’s rights requires not only laws, but collective accountability. “We must continue to create space for women to lead, recognizing that inclusive leadership strengthens institutions, drives better outcomes.”
Progress may be gradual, but it is always achievable.
“Ultimately, our vision is clear, the world where women are empowered, dignity is upheld and opportunity is equal.”
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