Abuja | July 16, 2026
The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has highlighted key regulatory reforms and production milestones achieved during her first 180 days in office, saying the commission remains focused on delivering measurable outcomes for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Reflecting on her first six months in office, Eyesan said her administration has prioritised regulatory efficiency, stakeholder engagement and investment promotion since assuming office on December 23, 2025.
“When I addressed the industry for the first time as Commission Chief Executive, I stated clearly that our success would be measured not by the volume of policies, but by tangible outcomes Nigerians can experience,” she said.
Among the reforms introduced, Eyesan said the commission established the CCE-Operators Leadership Forum, a monthly platform bringing together operators and industry stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and address emerging challenges.
She added that the commission has accelerated the digitisation of its operations, reducing permit approval timelines from 72 hours to less than 24 hours while launching a 90-day programme aimed at fast-tracking projects nearing execution. According to her, the commission has also created a permanent industry engagement platform and continues to develop new regulatory guidelines to address emerging gaps.
As part of efforts to attract investment into the upstream sector, Eyesan disclosed that the commission signed the PEL5 agreement with SeaSeis and TGS in March, authorising the acquisition of new 3D seismic data covering about 11,700 square kilometres offshore the Eastern Niger Delta.
She also pointed to improved oil and gas production figures as evidence of progress in the sector.
According to Eyesan, Nigeria recorded combined crude oil and condensate production of 1.735 million barrels per day in June, representing 104 per cent of the country’s OPEC production quota and marking the fourth consecutive month of production growth.
She added that gas production reached a record 7.93 billion cubic feet per day, while domestic gas sales increased to 2.18 billion cubic feet per day in May.
“The results reflect the efforts of operators, security agencies and an evolving commission,” she said.
Eyesan further noted that the National Bureau of Statistics had commended the commission’s efforts to improve data transparency, while a new partnership with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority is expected to further reduce regulatory bottlenecks.
Looking ahead, the NUPRC chief expressed confidence that the commission is on course to becoming one of the world’s leading petroleum regulatory agencies.
“I began this role confident that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission could become one of the world’s leading petroleum regulatory bodies. Just over 180 days on, while there is still much ground to cover, I am confident in the progress we have made and the trajectory we are on,” she said.
Eyesan also thanked industry stakeholders and staff of the commission for their support, while encouraging more women to pursue leadership opportunities in the energy sector.
“I hope that you continue to claim your place with courage, conviction, and the confidence that you belong,” she said.
