NUPRC Unveils Transformative Vision for Upstream Sector, Assures Efficiency, Collaboration
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has unveiled a transformative vision for Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector, anchored on efficiency, collaboration and sustainable growth.
Mrs. Eyesan said the new agenda is built on three core pillars: production optimisation and revenue expansion; regulatory predictability and speed; and safe, governed and sustainable operations.
She explained that the vision aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Federal Government’s target to ramp up crude oil production to two million barrels per day (2mmbopd) by 2027 and three million barrels per day (3mmbopd) by 2030.
Stakeholder Engagement in Lagos
The NUPRC boss unveiled the agenda on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, during a high-level stakeholder meeting held in Lagos.
The meeting was attended by members of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), emerging industry players and other key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.
Production Optimisation and Revenue Expansion
According to Mrs. Eyesan, production growth and revenue expansion will be driven through the recovery of shut-in volumes with economic value, arresting natural production decline, reducing losses and accelerating time-to-first oil — without increasing regulatory burdens or transaction costs.
She noted that this process has already begun, citing the recent reactivation of a long shut-in asset which she described as “turning on the light.”
Regulatory Predictability and Speed
The Commission Chief Executive said regulatory predictability would be achieved by running regulation like a service, enforcing rules transparently and making swift, time-bound decisions.
“Going forward, the Commission will be measured on key success metrics such as faster and predictable regulatory approvals, higher and more sustainable production, credible licensing, disciplined acreage performance, world-class health, safety and environment outcomes, trusted measurement, transparency, governance and data integrity,” she stated.
Mrs. Eyesan promised that under her leadership, the NUPRC would publish Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for all major approvals to enhance clarity and efficiency.
She added that timelines to production would be shortened through proactive engagement on approvals, the introduction of stage-gate processes and mutually agreed timelines between operators and the Commission.
Digitalisation and Internal Reforms
The NUPRC will also launch a digital workflow platform for permitting, reporting and data submission.
According to her, the Commission will collaborate with industry players to identify capacity gaps and deploy tiered interventions in critical areas with immediate impact on regulatory efficiency, while harmonising internal processes to eliminate conflicting regulatory actions.
She disclosed that an internal transformation programme driven through a Project Management Office is already underway, with more details to be announced in the coming days.
Monthly Leadership Forum and Industry Collaboration
Mrs. Eyesan announced the establishment of a CCE–Operators Leadership Forum to be held monthly, bringing together operators, including NNPC Limited, OPTS, IPPG and emerging players.
The forum will focus on approval timelines, production restoration, infrastructure integrity, gas monetisation and development, enabling the Commission to identify systemic bottlenecks and improve predictability.
She also stressed the importance of strengthening hydrocarbon accounting and measurement by tracking every barrel produced and promptly addressing discrepancies or losses.
Host Communities and PIA Compliance
On host community relations, the NUPRC boss said the Commission would soon engage host community leaders to reaffirm its commitment to the effective implementation of the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs).
She further disclosed that one of her major goals is to achieve 100 per cent compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) within 12 months.
“This will be monitored by a dedicated team situated in my office, and the Commission will issue quarterly progress reports,” she said.
Mrs. Eyesan added that a 90-day programme to fast-track approvals for near-ready Field Development Plans (FDPs), well interventions, rig mobilisation and other quick-win opportunities has already commenced.
