The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has reaffirmed its regulatory vision towards advancing a sustainable energy future. This, the Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Engr Gbenga Komolafe says, is in line with the 2025 theme of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE).
The 2025 NAICE is themed “Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources and Policy.”
Represented by the Executive Commissioner, Development and Production, Engr. Enorense Amadasu, the CCE emphasized that the Commission is not treating the theme as a mere aspiration, but a present mandate that is already being actively implemented through policy, innovation, and collaborative actions.
According to him, the responsibility of all stakeholders goes beyond compliance, and must focus on enabling a stable, efficient, and forward-looking upstream sector, that balances energy security, environmental responsibility, economic sustainability, and climate resilience.
He added that, in line with the global shift towards digitalisation and cleaner energy, the NUPRC has been at the forefront of integrating technology across both industry operations and regulatory functions. The Commission is promoting technology adoption across exploration, development, and production activities, especially for decarbonisation and emission reduction.
The NUPRC Boss also noted that the Commission has digitised regulatory processes to enhance efficiency, improve turnaround time, and boost transparency stating that these efforts are part of a wider reform agenda to create a cost effective and investment friendly ecosystem for operators.
On strengthening the supply chain and local capacity, he acknowledged the role of a resilient and efficient supply chain in energy sustainability, adding that, NUPRC has been deliberate in creating a regulatory environment that nurtures indigenous capacity, promotes local manufacturing, and supports the growth of service companies.
Recognising human resources as the engine of innovation, Engr. Komolafe said, the Commission is investing in capacity building and collaborating with professional bodies, academic institutions, and training centres to develop a future ready workforce and called on SPE and other industry players to intensify engagement with young professionals and contribute to repositioning the workforce in light of the global transition to low carbon energy systems.
Speaking on policy and regulatory reforms, the CCE said since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021, NUPRC has gazetted 21 strategic regulations that offer clarity, streamline operations, and promote sustainability, of which several directly support the conference theme.
Speaking on initiatives for driving production and sustainability he highlighted the Shallow and Deepwater Cluster Development, as a new collaborative strategy to unlock marginal and stranded oil and gas resources through joint development models, the Project 1 MMBOPD Incremental Production Initiative, under which Nigeria recorded a peak oil production of 1.8 million barrels per day last month, and the Upstream Oil & Gas Decarbonisation and Sustainability Blueprint, built on seven strategic pillars, which aims to future-proof the upstream sector, enhance investment attractiveness, and improve competitiveness.
