The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has called for deliberate measures to ensure that Nigeria derives greater maritime, industrial and economic value from its growing offshore oil and gas activities.
The Commission’s Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, made the call on Tuesday while delivering a lecture at the Lagos International Maritime Week 2026 and the 11th International Maritime Business-to-Business Conference and Exhibition, themed, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence in Africa.”
Eyesan, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Captain John Tonlagha, said Nigeria’s offshore development must go beyond hydrocarbon production to create a globally competitive ecosystem of maritime services, infrastructure, technology and skills.
She said the country must move deliberately from petroleum investment to offshore projects, production and maritime enterprise, stressing that the ultimate goal should be the creation of Nigerian jobs, technology, industrial capability and sustainable economic prosperity.
According to her, investments alone do not automatically translate into national value, noting that they must be linked to domestic capability, competitive local suppliers, skills development, infrastructure and measurable performance.
The NUPRC boss therefore called for increased investment in ports, ship-repair facilities, fabrication yards, logistics bases, storage systems, waste-management facilities and coastal transport infrastructure.
She also urged stronger participation of Nigerian companies across the offshore value chain, including vessel ownership and operations, marine logistics, subsea engineering, fabrication, equipment maintenance, inspection, certification, environmental services and marine surveying.
On environmental sustainability, Eyesan stressed that offshore development must be undertaken responsibly, warning that the blue economy could not be sustained if the marine environment was treated as an afterthought.
She noted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 provides an enabling framework for offshore development, including provisions for the responsible decommissioning and abandonment of petroleum facilities.
Eyesan said Nigeria’s success should ultimately be measured not only by increased offshore investment and production, but also by improved energy security, greater Nigerian participation in maritime activities, stronger environmental protection and the emergence of the country as a competitive offshore energy and maritime-services hub for Africa.
