NUPRC, NMDPRA Meet to Strengthen Regulatory Efficiency in Oil Sector
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have taken remarkable steps toward enhancing regulatory efficiency and encouraging investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The meeting, which was held at the NUPRC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, had in attendance the Commission Chief Executive (CCE), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and her NMDPRA counterpart, Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed.
The agencies agreed to work more closely by nominating representatives from each organisation to address and resolve regulatory issues to promote the overall interests of the industry and ensure a seamless regulatory process across the sector.
It was also agreed that there should be regular quarterly interactions between the two bodies to promote a working relationship and address any challenges that may arise in the course of regulatory processes and procedures.
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The NUPRC chief, while emphasising the importance of cooperation between the agencies, said it is essential for the industry’s growth, adding that the oil and gas sector is vital to the nation’s economy as the Commission and the NMDPRA serve as enablers for its continued development.
“Whether we are talking about the upstream, midstream or the downstream, we are enablers for the industry and without a doubt, we know that the industry is the heartbeat of the nation’s economy. So, we are committed to ensuring that things work properly and the industry grows astronomically.
“We cannot do that if we do not work together because, as we all know, sometimes there is no fine line between upstream, midstream and downstream. And if we are not working together, then that becomes a problem. So, I believe that this will be the beginning of many more interactions,” she stated.
She described the meeting as a testament to a renewed commitment, stating that both agencies are putting forces together to ensure that the industry grows, as she also sought support from NMDPRA in the ongoing licensing round and invited the Authority Chief Executive to the pre-bid conference scheduled to take place at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos on January 14, 2026.
This licensing round, which offers 50 oil and gas blocks, is expected to attract substantial investments and contribute to an increase in the nation’s reserves.
In his remarks, the Authority Chief Executive (ACE) of NMDPRA, Engineer Aliyu Mohammed, emphasised the shared history of both agencies as offshoots of the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), calling on the need for harmonious cooperation.
He said, “We must improve this relationship between brother and sister agencies,” adding that any differences should be resolved internally and amicably.
The partnership marks a renewed commitment by NUPRC and NMDPRA to fostering regulatory efficiency and driving investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, promising long-term benefits for the nation’s economy.