The Forum of Retired Oil Workers has commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for its far-reaching reforms, transparency initiatives, and renewed investor confidence under the leadership of its Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the forum’s president, Richard Jackson, the group described Komolafe’s leadership as “visionary, reform-driven, and aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to reposition Nigeria’s oil and gas sector for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.”
The forum said the series of policy and operational reforms introduced by the NUPRC since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) have restored investor trust, boosted production output, and re-established Nigeria as an attractive energy investment destination.
“The Commission’s approach under Engr. Gbenga Komolafe represents a decisive shift from bureaucracy to performance. By prioritising regulatory clarity, transparency, and accountability, the NUPRC has restored credibility to the upstream sector and shown that Nigeria remains open for responsible and profitable investment,” the statement read.
Highlighting recent achievements, the forum noted that the 28 Field Development Plans (FDPs) approved by the Commission in 2025 alone projected to deliver 600,000 barrels of oil per day and over 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas daily signal a major turnaround for the industry.
“These are not mere statistics. They reflect renewed vitality in an industry once burdened by uncertainty and underinvestment. Unlocking 1.4 billion barrels of oil and 5.4 trillion cubic feet of gas in a single year shows that these reforms are producing tangible results,” Jackson said.
According to the forum, Komolafe’s regulatory framework has not only boosted production but also attracted significant foreign and local capital, with over $18 billion in new investment commitments recorded this year alone.
The group credited this surge to the Commission’s transparent licensing rounds and stable fiscal regime, noting that processes from the 2022 Petroleum Prospecting Licences to the 2024 Deep Offshore Bid Round have been globally recognised for fairness and professionalism.
“That is the kind of leadership and accountability we had always hoped to see in Nigeria’s oil sector,” the statement added.
The forum also lauded the NUPRC’s collaboration with host communities and its balanced approach to decarbonisation and energy transition, describing it as both pragmatic and forward-looking.
“Komolafe has adopted a practical model that supports cleaner energy development while safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests. The Decade of Gas initiative, complemented by the Commission’s Decarbonisation Framework, reflects a deep understanding of both global trends and local realities,” Jackson noted.
The retired professionals further praised the enforcement of 24 new regulations aligned with the PIA, calling them a “solid foundation for a predictable, investor-friendly operating environment.”
They pointed to increased rig activity — from just eight in 2021 to 70 today — and a rise in national oil output to 1.8 million barrels per day, as evidence that the Commission’s strategy is yielding results.
“We believe the NUPRC is writing a new chapter in Nigeria’s oil and gas history. Under Komolafe’s stewardship, the sector has become more efficient, transparent, and globally competitive a fitting tribute to the generations of Nigerians who built this industry,” the statement concluded.
