NUPRC Demands Maritime Jobs from Offshore Oil Investments
According to a statement, the Commission’s Chief Executive, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, made the call on Tuesday while delivering a lecture at the Lagos International Maritime Week 2026 and the 11th International Maritime Business-to-Business Conference and Exhibition.
The event, themed “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence in Africa,” focused on strengthening the maritime sector and translating policies into practical economic outcomes.
Eyesan, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Captain John Tonlagha, said offshore oil and gas development should extend beyond the production of hydrocarbons.
She said the sector offered Nigeria an opportunity to develop a competitive maritime ecosystem supported by services, infrastructure, technology and skilled manpower.
The NUPRC boss explained that investments would not automatically produce significant national value unless they were linked to domestic capabilities, competitive Nigerian suppliers, skills development, infrastructure and measurable performance.
She therefore called for increased investment in ports, ship-repair facilities, fabrication yards, logistics bases, storage systems, waste-management facilities and coastal transport infrastructure.
Eyesan also advocated greater participation of Nigerian companies throughout the offshore value chain, including vessel ownership and operations, marine logistics, subsea engineering, fabrication, equipment maintenance, inspection, certification, environmental services and marine surveying.
On environmental protection, she stressed the need for responsible offshore development, noting that sustainable growth of the blue economy depended on protecting the marine environment.
She also pointed to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 as providing a framework for offshore development, including responsible decommissioning and abandonment of petroleum facilities.
According to Eyesan, Nigeria’s progress in offshore development should be assessed through increased investment, higher production and improved energy security, stronger Nigerian participation in maritime activities, better protection of the marine environment and the development of Nigeria into a competitive offshore energy and maritime-services hub for Africa.
