UGO AMADI
As Nigeria targets higher production and investment, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission(NUPRC) has urged government and industry stakeholders to work more closely to strengthen the upstream sector and secure the country’s energy future..
Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Chief Executive of NUPRC, made the call at the ongoing 49th Society of Petroleum Engineers Nigeria Annual (SPE), International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE 2026) on Monday in Lagos.
Eyesan, in a keynote address, said sustained dialogue and partnerships remain critical to positioning Nigeria to thrive amid the rapidly evolving global energy landscape.
She described the conference as one of Africa’s foremost technical and strategic energy platforms.
She noted that since its inception in 1976, it has continued to bring together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, researchers, innovators, and young professionals to shape the future of the oil and gas industry.
According to her, this year’s conference theme, “Thriving in the Evolving Global Energy Landscape: Collaborative Growth and Resilience,” reflects the realities confronting the industry.
“For us in Nigeria, this conference is much more than another annual event. It is an important platform where ideas are transformed into action,” she said.
Eyesan noted that many of the reforms currently transforming Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector were influenced by recommendations and technical contributions from industry engagements such as the SPE conference and similar professional forums.
She said the commission’s regular consultations with operators and other stakeholders have helped create a more transparent, predictable, and investor-friendly regulatory environment.
“The best policies and regulations are built through collaboration. By listening, learning, and working together, we are building a regulatory system that is practical, responsive, and forward-looking,” she stated.
The NUPRC chief stressed that resilient energy systems, sustained investment, and long-term industry growth could only be achieved through strong partnerships.
She added that technical conferences and workshops provide strategic platforms for developing solutions that strengthen regulatory frameworks and improve the investment climate.
She encouraged participants to engage in robust discussions, challenge existing assumptions, and propose practical solutions to the challenges facing the petroleum industry.
She assured them that the commission would continue to consider stakeholders’ recommendations in shaping future policies and regulations.
Expressing optimism about the country’s prospects, Eyesan said Nigeria possesses significant competitive advantages, including abundant oil and gas reserves, a vibrant indigenous petroleum industry.
“We have young and skilled workforce, an improving regulatory framework, and a strategic geographic location that connects it to regional and global markets,’’ she said.
She said these strengths position the country not only to adapt to changes in the global energy transition but also to play a leading role in shaping the future of the industry.
This, she said could be through collaboration, innovation, and resilient energy systems.
Eyesan congratulated the SPE Nigeria Council on the successful hosting of the conference and urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions by working together to build an energy industry that supports sustainable economic growth and national energy security.
“Together, let us move beyond discussing the future of energy to build it through collaboration, innovation, and resilience, so that Nigeria not only thrives in the evolving global energy landscape but also helps shape it,” she said.
