NUPRC, NMDPRA Move to Harmonise Regulation, Attract Fresh Oil and Gas Investments
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have agreed to deepen collaboration aimed at improving regulatory efficiency and attracting fresh investments across Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.
The renewed commitment was reached during a strategic meeting between the leadership of both agencies held on January 8 at the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja.
At the meeting, the two regulators resolved to strengthen coordination by designating focal representatives from each organisation to jointly address regulatory overlaps and operational challenges. The initiative is intended to ensure seamless regulation and promote the collective interests of the petroleum industry.
As part of the framework, both agencies also agreed to hold quarterly engagement sessions to sustain cooperation, improve communication, and promptly resolve emerging regulatory issues.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, emphasised that effective synergy between both regulators is critical to the growth and stability of the oil and gas sector, which she described as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
According to her, effective regulation across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments can only be achieved through close collaboration, noting that the boundaries between the segments are often intertwined.
Mrs. Eyesan described the engagement as a renewed commitment by both agencies to combine efforts in ensuring the sector operates efficiently and delivers optimal value to the nation.
She also sought the support of NMDPRA in the ongoing licensing round and formally invited the Authority’s Chief Executive to the pre-bid conference scheduled for January 14, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The licensing round, which features 50 oil and gas blocks, is expected to attract significant investment and boost Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves.
In his response, the Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Engr. Saidu Mohammed, highlighted the shared origins of both agencies, noting that they emerged from the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).
He called for stronger harmony, describing NUPRC and NMDPRA as “brother and sister” agencies that must resolve differences internally and amicably in the overall interest of the industry.
The renewed cooperation between the two regulators underscores a collective resolve to streamline petroleum regulation, enhance investor confidence, and drive sustainable growth across Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
