It is no mean feat for an organization to receive over 40 notable recognitions in just about three years. It is even more remarkable when that organization is itself only about three years old. That feat is the highpoint of the success story of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) under the leadership of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe.
The latest haul of such recognitions accorded NUPRC came from reputable sources in the form of ThisDay/Arise Group CEO of the Year Award; the Sun Public Service Award; Best MDA in Digital Transformation at the 2024 Nigeria GOVTECH Conference and Awards; and four top awards and an Executive Recognition at the 2024 SERVICOM MDAs’ Awards.
These recognitions are testimonials to the quality of leadership which Engr. Komolafe has brought to NUPRC as its pioneer Commission Chief Executive (CCE). “We have been working silently and assiduously to ensure that we implement our statutory mandate effectively in a manner that has now become a success story,” Komolafe said after receiving The Sun Public Service Award in Lagos. ‘‘We have been able to attract investors’ confidence, certainty, and predictability in the industry. and while doing this with my dedicated team, we never knew the industry and relevant stakeholders were watching. What you have seen today is a message that the Nigerian society is watching and this award is a testament to our good work, but it further serves as a motivation for us to keep doing more for the good of the country.”
NUPRC was established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 as the regulator of the upstream sector of the Nigerian petroleum industry. The Commission has the statutory responsibility for ensuring compliance with petroleum laws, regulations and guidelines in the Upstream Oil and Gas Sector. Since taking office in 2021 as the pioneer Commission Chief Executive, Engr. Komolafe has guided the NUPRC toward efficiency, openness, as well as regulatory initiatives and reforms to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. His wealth of experience in engineering, law, and institutional process studies has been instrumental in the remarkable milestones the commission has attained in less than four years. The commission successfully developed and rolled out over 17 new regulations within two and half years that have fostered growth, improved productivity, and increased government revenue from the oil and gas sector. These strategic interventions have restored investor confidence and positioned Nigeria’s petroleum industry for sustained growth.
Engr. Komolafe’s leadership has steered the commission away from the opaque operations that plague some other regulatory agencies. He focuses on transparency, effectiveness, and predictability in business results, an approach that has made NUPRC a model regulatory agency that has attracted upstream oil investors once again.
Engr. Komolafe’s leadership of NUPRC has led to the introduction of a comprehensive regulatory framework that is aligned with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in modernizing licensing processes, promoting environmental sustainability, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. The regulations also serve as tools to ensure certainty and predictability of the activities in the upstream industry as against what was obtained in the pre-PIA era.
A substantial decrease in crude oil theft, a long-standing issue for Nigeria’s oil industry, is among his historic accomplishments. Through the conduct of a comprehensive audit of crude oil theft and an assessment of upstream asset integrity, the Commission was able to determine the actual magnitude of the nation’s losses. After that, the CCE carried out specific interventions, such as enhanced cargo declaration and upstream measurement processes, stronger regulatory oversight on crude oil evacuation and handling agreements, and improved security measures to prevent oil theft at production and export terminals.
As a result of these efforts, Nigeria’s crude oil production has increased from below one million barrels per day to over 1.6 million barrels per day. This improvement has undoubtedly reversed the decline in oil investments, reinforcing the confidence of both local and foreign investors in Nigeria’s upstream sector. The NUPRC has further introduced structural changes that prioritize openness, clarity, and predictability in regulatory operations. This shift has streamlined business processes, reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks, and created a more investor-friendly environment.
Another major highlight of Engr. Komolafe’s leadership is the comprehensive review of crude oil handling agreements aimed at boosting transparency and competitiveness. The oil industry is now much more efficient as a result of these reforms, which have drastically reduced capital and operational expenditure in oil production. Furthermore, the implementation of the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation (DCSO) ensures that local refineries receive sufficient and uninterrupted crude oil feedstock, supporting Nigeria’s goal of achieving energy security and domestic petroleum sufficiency.
To further optimize Nigeria’s crude oil production potential, the NUPRC under Engr. Komolafe undertook an industry-wide study to reactivate inactive oil wells across the country. This strategic initiative aims to unlock 700,000 barrels of oil per day, significantly boosting Nigeria’s production capacity. This proactive approach aligns with global best practices in upstream asset management, ensuring that existing resources are maximized while minimizing environmental impact.
What’s more, the Commission has fostered operational efficiency, reduced waste, and enhanced compliance with global sustainability standards through strengthening regulatory oversight on crude oil exploration and production. These measures have restored confidence among international stakeholders and positioned Nigeria’s oil industry as a more attractive investment destination.
The NUPRC has demonstrated its commitment to effective service delivery through initiatives such as full automation of statutory approvals and work processes. The NUPRC’s adherence to the SERVICOM charter has enhanced timely and efficient job outputs, reinforcing the Commission’s role as a leading regulatory agency in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Also, under his watch, the NUPRC has embraced digital transformation and automation in regulatory processes, reducing inefficiencies and improving data accuracy in monitoring upstream activities.
The global energy landscape is evolving, with a shift towards sustainable and renewable energy sources. Recognizing this trend, Engr. Komolafe has strategically positioned the NUPRC to leverage opportunities presented by the energy transition era. Through policy innovations and stakeholder engagements, the Commission is driving efforts to ensure that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry remains competitive while adapting to emerging global energy trends.
His leadership has facilitated the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices in upstream operations, encouragement of investments in gas infrastructure as a cleaner energy alternative, and alignment of Nigeria’s energy policies with global carbon reduction commitments. By integrating these strategies, the NUPRC is ensuring that Nigeria maximizes its hydrocarbon resources while gradually transitioning towards a more diversified energy mix.
Gbenga Komolafe’s distinctive leadership at the NUPRC has provided a critical pillar in driving Nigeria’s development through a more prosperous, transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly oil and gas industry. His legacy is undoubtedly an epitome of innovation, commitment, and transformative impact, making him a leader worthy of the highest national recognition.
The pioneer Commission Chief Executive’s exceptional strides at NUPRC did not come to many as a surprise. He came to the office prepared, thanks to his extensive experience, which includes positions such as Executive Director (Commercial) of Pipelines and Petroleum Marketing Company (PPMC), Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, and Group General Manager, Special Duties at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Engr. Genga Komolafe’s selection by the Top10 magazine as one of the regulatory agency leaders in Nigeria is in recognition of his outstanding achievements as the Commission Chief Executive of NUPRC in terms of efficient delivery on its statutory mandate of regulatory initiatives and oversight, revenue generation and general contribution to the national economy.
