The Nigeria Oil and Gas Integrity Forum has commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for its instrumental role in effectively implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), a law hailed as a game-changer for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. According to the forum’s president, Vivian Okorafor, the mere passage of the PIA would not have translated into tangible progress without the proactive and transparent regulatory leadership demonstrated by the NUPRC, under the stewardship of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe.

Okorafor stressed that while the PIA represented a major legislative milestone, its real value lies in the manner it has been executed. She attributed the revival of investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector to the Commission’s consistent and visionary approach. Without the NUPRC’s firm enforcement of the law, she noted, the industry could have remained mired in uncertainty, discouraging investment and progress.

The forum praised Komolafe’s leadership for fostering a business-friendly regulatory environment that encourages growth rather than impedes it with unnecessary bureaucracy. Okorafor pointed out that several key investment metrics have improved due to the NUPRC’s focus on clarity, efficiency, and fairness. Measures such as transparent bid rounds, streamlined licensing procedures, and digital compliance systems have played a major role in reviving both local and international investor interest.

Additionally, the forum acknowledged the NUPRC’s efforts to promote indigenous participation in the oil sector. Okorafor described a significant increase in Nigerian-owned companies playing active roles in the upstream space, crediting the Commission’s merit-based policies and commitment to building local capacity.

The introduction of digital tools for licensing, monitoring, and reporting was also applauded as a major step toward reducing corruption and enhancing operational transparency. According to the forum, this technological integration is a clear example of the forward-thinking reforms being implemented by the NUPRC, which are helping to transform Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory framework into one of global competitiveness and integrity.