NUPRC Named Most Outstanding Agency by Public Space Tracker, Leadership of Komolafe Commended

With praise for the leadership of its Chief Executive, Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, whose governance has established a new standard for accountability and efficiency in the country’s oil and gas industry, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has been recognized as the most transparent and exceptional government organization in the nation.

Since taking office, NUPRC has shown “remarkable openness, policy innovation, and integrity in the management of Nigeria’s upstream petroleum resources,” according to a statement released in Ghana on Wednesday by the Public Space Tracker in West Africa.

The organization highlighted that transparency in resource governance is not only a catchphrase but a quantifiable practice that has come to be associated with the NUPRC, characterizing the Commission as an example of how regulatory agencies ought to operate in a democracy.

The Commission, under Komolafe, has restored confidence among investors, civil society organizations, and citizens by providing clear data on oil production, licensing, royalties, and revenue remittances, according to Dr. Ousman Zaharadeen, Convener of the Public Space Tracker.

“Engr. Gbenga Komolafe has demonstrated that a government organization can be both transparent and effective with intentional leadership.” The NUPRC has demonstrated exceptional success in disseminating reliable information, interacting with stakeholders in an honest manner, and guaranteeing the equitable and responsible management of Nigeria’s petroleum resources. This makes it, in our opinion, the most exceptional and transparent agency in Nigeria right now,” Zaharadeen stated.

The group emphasised the Commission’s regular meetings with communities, operators, and civil society to build confidence, ensure adherence to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and publish industry statistics. It further stated that these actions have improved Nigeria’s reputation internationally for resource governance in addition to increasing public accountability.

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Zaharadeen claims that the NUPRC’s transparency efforts have contributed to a reduction in opacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which has long been plagued by corruption and secrecy.

He underlined that the Commission has put Nigeria on the path to better energy equity and fiscal discipline by spearheading reforms in upstream petroleum regulation.

“The Commission has reduced leaks and increased government revenues by insisting on real-time monitoring of crude oil production and by enforcing strict regulatory oversight.” Additionally, its interactions with host communities have shown that extractive governance can be inclusive and people-centered, the statement said.

The Commission’s role has been crucial to recent increases in production and revenue generation, according to Public Space Tracker in West Africa, which also praised NUPRC’s cooperative approach to combating oil theft.

“The NUPRC has gained trust both domestically and internationally thanks to its transparent operations. Because of this, Nigeria is now attracting more serious investors who see that the regulations are implemented fairly, consistently, and clearly,” Zaharadeen said.

The organization emphasized that accountability and transparency are essential to restoring public confidence in government and asked other government bodies to follow the Commission’s lead.

Nigeria requires regulators who can follow the NUPRC’s lead in other sectors, not just petroleum. “This is about quantifiable actions that bolster institutions, reassure investors, and benefit common people, not propaganda,” he stated.

“Under Komolafe’s leadership, the Commission would continue to deepen transparency, strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal base, and drive the country’s transition towards a more accountable resource economy,” said Public Space Tracker in West Africa, which called for continuous changes.

We have recognized the NUPRC as the federation’s most exceptional and transparent agency. We applaud Engineer Komolafe for his outstanding leadership and encourage him to continue this path of transparency, responsibility, and creativity for the benefit of Nigerians,” the statement said.