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Cynthia Ezegwu
The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, has said that Nigeria’s upstream oil sector has recorded significant transformation in the last four years, with active rig count soaring from eight in 2021 to 69 as of October 2025.
Komolafe stated this after receiving the Global Sustainable Leadership Award at the 2025 Global Sustainable Education and Leadership (G-SEL) Conference, held at the House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, London, from November 6–7, 2025.
According to a statement by the commission on Saturday, the growth reflects renewed investor confidence and operational vibrancy in the upstream sector. The NUPRC boss also noted that the commission’s revenue performance has consistently exceeded federal projections, with surpluses of 18.3 per cent in 2022, 14.6 per cent in 2023, and 84.2 per cent in 2024.
Under Komolafe’s leadership, the NUPRC has implemented extensive reforms in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), promoting transparency, indigenous participation, and host community development. The commission said local oil producers now contribute over 30 per cent of the country’s total output.
The statement added that the rollout of Host Community Development Trusts has started delivering direct socio-economic benefits to oil-producing communities.
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“This award belongs to Nigeria. It recognises the courage and faith that drive our reforms in the upstream oil and gas sector,” Komolafe said. “We are building a transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly system that reflects our national values and global aspirations.”
He added that Nigeria aims to remain a reliable supplier, fair regulator, and responsible global energy partner.
Other recipients of the award included Angela Wilkinson, CEO of the World Energy Council; Jason Jackson, Mayor of Islington, London; Riad Meddeb, Director of Sustainable Energy at the UNDP; Ben Parsons, Partner at Oakin Energy Transition Strategy, UK; Macenje “Che Che” Mazoka, Zambia’s High Commissioner to the UK; Seema Malhotra FRSA, MP and Minister at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; and Joel Singh, Director at General Electric UK, among others.