NMDPRA, NUPRC Chiefs Vow Digital Overhaul To Plug Oil Sector Revenue Leakages
By Naija Enquirer Staff
Chief executives-designate of Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory agencies have pledged a sweeping digital transformation of the oil and gas sector to curb revenue leakages, strengthen enforcement, and restore investor confidence.
The nominees — Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan for the
Both nominees said Nigeria’s continued reliance on manual processes, weak data integration and poor enforcement of contracts has left the petroleum sector vulnerable to inefficiencies, revenue losses and regulatory abuse, despite the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Mrs Eyesan warned that without full digitisation and credible data, effective regulation would remain elusive.
“We are still largely manual, while the world is moving at jet speed,” she said. “Without digitisation and real-time data, you cannot truly understand what you are regulating, and you will continue to lose money.”
She explained that modern petroleum regulation requires transparent digital platforms capable of tracking assets, production volumes, revenues and compliance in real time, adding that poor data integrity has historically undermined oversight in Nigeria’s upstream operations.
According to her, her leadership would prioritise integrated digital systems, asset integrity monitoring and closer collaboration with industry stakeholders to address long-standing operational bottlenecks.
“We must collaborate with operators, policymakers and other regulators, identify our pain points and address them collectively. That is how you move the needle forward,” she said.
Mrs Eyesan described the Petroleum Industry Act as a valuable framework that could reposition Nigeria as a competitive investment destination if implemented with discipline, transparency and technological support.
She told lawmakers that her background as an industry operator gives her a practical understanding of both resource development and regulatory expectations, citing her involvement in resolving disputes with international oil companies, stabilising investor confidence during divestment pressures and facilitating multi-billion-dollar deep offshore investments.
She also referenced her role in Nigeria’s first non-associated gas development contract and efforts that contributed to raising crude oil production from about 1.3 million barrels per day to nearly 1.8 million barrels per day.
“Having worked directly in resource development, I understand the challenges operators face, and I believe I have the competence to regulate effectively while maximising national value,” she said.
Engineer Mohammed, the NMDPRA nominee, said digital reforms in the midstream and downstream sectors would be complemented by stricter enforcement of contracts, quality standards and regulatory discipline across fuel supply chains.
Lawmakers at the screening stressed that effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, supported by technology-driven regulation, remains critical to plugging revenue leakages and strengthening Nigeria’s energy security.
