By Our Reporter
The Forum of Retired Oil Workers has lauded the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, for what it described as a historic and transformative leadership that is repositioning Nigeria’s oil and gas sector for long-term sustainability, competitiveness, and global relevance.
In a statement signed by its President, Richard Jackson, and issued on Monday, the forum praised Komolafe’s visionary leadership and strategic reforms, which it said have rekindled investor confidence, accelerated regulatory efficiency, and driven a sustained uptick in oil and gas production.
“Engr. Komolafe has not only brought regulatory clarity but a level of integrity, pragmatism, and performance-focused governance that the industry sorely needed,” the statement noted.
The group hailed the bold policy strides made by the Commission since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), describing Komolafe’s approach as *firmly aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda for the energy sector.
According to the forum, the Commission under Komolafe has transitioned from bureaucracy to a data-driven, results-oriented regulator, earning trust from global investors and operators alike.
“This is a clear break from the past. Under Komolafe, the NUPRC has become a performance-driven institution with a strong focus on transparency, accountability, and results,” the forum stated.
One of the highlights of Komolafe’s tenure, the forum noted, was the approval of 28 Field Development Plans (FDPs) in 2025, with an estimated potential of 600,000 barrels of oil per day and over 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas. These figures, it said, signal more than policy success—they represent renewed momentum in an industry long plagued by underinvestment and policy inertia.
“The approval of FDPs and unlocking of 1.4 billion barrels of oil and 5.4 trillion cubic feet of gas in a single year is not just commendable—it is unprecedented in Nigeria’s recent oil history,” Jackson noted.
Further underlining the Commission’s progress, the group cited over $18 billion in new investment commitments attracted in 2025 alone. This surge in investor interest, it said, directly reflects the credibility and professionalism Komolafe has brought to the NUPRC.
“Transparent licensing rounds and investor-friendly fiscal frameworks have rebranded Nigeria’s upstream sector under Komolafe’s guidance,” the statement continued.
The forum commended the Commission for its firm regulatory enforcement and the introduction of 24 new regulations aligned with the PIA, which it described as the foundation for a stable, predictable, and competitive investment environment.
The group also highlighted the sharp rise in rig activity —from just 8 rigs in 2021 to 70 in 2025 —and the recovery in oil output to 1.8 million barrels per day, describing them as “clear signals that the sector is now on a new trajectory.”
“What we are witnessing is not mere regulatory housekeeping, but a total reinvention of how the upstream sector is governed,” Jackson said.
In addition to production and investment gains, the forum praised Komolafe’s forward-looking approach to energy transition and environmental responsibility, citing the NUPRC’s Decarbonisation Framework and support for the Decade of Gas initiative.
“Komolafe’s regulatory vision balances growth with sustainability. He understands the dual imperative of energy security and climate action,” the forum stated.
The statement also recognised the Commission’s strengthened engagement with host communities, describing its people-centric approach as essential for long-term peace, equity, and sustainability in oil-producing regions.
In conclusion, the forum urged the NUPRC to sustain its reform drive, deepen its stakeholder partnerships, and continue holding operators to the highest global standards of transparency, safety, and governance.
“Engr. Komolafe is writing a new chapter in Nigeria’s oil and gas narrative—one defined by bold reforms, measurable progress, and restored global confidence. As veterans of this industry, we are proud to witness this transformation,” the statement added.
