The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has unveiled a 60-day programme to fully digitise its internal communications and operational processes, part of efforts to improve transparency, speed, and efficiency in regulatory activities.
Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Chief Executive of NUPRC, announced the initiative during a working visit by Musa Sarkin Adar, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja on 23 February 2026.
According to Eniola Akinkuotu, Head of Media and Strategic Communication at NUPRC, the digitisation drive will eliminate paper-based processes and enhance accountability in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
“We have set for ourselves a 60-day programme to digitise our interactions and communications within the Commission. I can assure you that once we get to day 60, there will be no paper trail within the Commission. All our transmissions will be electronic, which also means speed is assured. It means we will be able to trace where we have hiccups,” she said.
Eyesan noted that previous automation efforts, particularly in royalty collection and monitoring, had already improved compliance. “I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that for royalty payments, the default rate was enormous prior to 2025 when the Commission went live on the system. Now, compliance has improved,” she said.
Full digitisation is expected to further strengthen regulatory oversight, improve efficiency, and enhance transparency in the oil and gas industry. Eyesan also highlighted the importance of collaboration with NEITI as Nigeria prepares for new licensing opportunities and investment drives.
In his remarks, Adar urged NUPRC to deepen its partnership with NEITI through data sharing and closer institutional coordination to boost transparency, improve investor confidence, and enforce compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act.
“There is a need for the Commission to carry NEITI along in its operations. This will not only enhance transparency but also deepen investor confidence. We also expect the regulator to be firm with operators that run afoul of the law,” Adar said.
He further encouraged NUPRC to actively participate in the 2026 global conference of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to gain insights into evolving transparency standards and best practices.
Since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021, Nigeria has intensified reforms in the oil and gas sector, focusing on transparency, accountability, and improved revenue generation. The NUPRC, which regulates upstream activities, has introduced digital tools and monitoring systems to curb revenue leakages, improve compliance, and attract investment.
Analysts say that stronger collaboration between NUPRC and NEITI is critical to boosting investor confidence, ensuring accurate reporting, and enhancing governance in Africa’s largest oil-producing nation as it seeks to expand production and maximise revenue from its natural resources.
