The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has unveiled a sweeping reform agenda aimed at boosting crude oil production, restoring investor confidence, and positioning Nigeria as a competitive global energy destination.
In her maiden interview published in the latest edition of The Upstream Gaze, a media publication of the commission, Eyesan said the regulator plans to deploy technology-driven regulation, accelerate approvals, and deepen transparency in licensing and compliance processes.
She explained that the reforms are designed to modernise Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector while aligning regulatory practices with global standards.
According to Eyesan, the initiative is also critical to achieving the Federal Government’s medium-term crude oil production target of three million barrels per day under the administration of Bola Tinubu.
“This edition of The Upstream Gaze, the first in 2026, chronicles our commitment to ongoing reforms expected to optimise production, accelerate regulatory timelines, strengthen hydrocarbon measurement and revenue assurance, deepen digital transformation, and entrench transparency across licensing and compliance processes,” she said.
A central component of the reform agenda is the creation of a fully digital regulatory ecosystem that will streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic delays.
“Modern regulation has to be tech-enabled, data-driven, and transparent. At the NUPRC, we’re building a fully digital ecosystem that streamlines licensing, strengthens compliance, and improves data integrity in line with global best practices,” Eyesan stated.
She revealed that the commission is rolling out an end-to-end digital licensing platform designed to transform how investors interact with the regulator.
The platform will allow online submissions, automated workflows, clear regulatory timelines, real-time tracking of applications, and digital permit issuance.
“This removes bottlenecks and gives investors visibility and certainty,” she said, adding that the commission is also upgrading national data systems with real-time monitoring capabilities.
Eyesan noted that the improved data systems would include standardised metering protocols, automated reporting, and enhanced centralised data repositories to support accurate hydrocarbon measurement and revenue assurance.
“Reliable, real-time data is critical for revenue assurance, asset valuation, and investor confidence,” she explained.
She also disclosed that analytics-driven compliance tools would be deployed to strengthen oversight and ensure consistent regulatory decisions.
According to her, these tools will detect anomalies, enable faster regulatory responses, and improve governance across the sector.
The commission is also strengthening transparency in licensing rounds through the use of secure digital data rooms and auditable, system-driven bid processes.
Eyesan said the cumulative impact of the reforms would create a more predictable investment climate for both local and international oil companies.
“All of this reduces discretion, shortens project timelines, and boosts governance and accountability. When processes are digital and data is credible, regulatory risk drops and the Nigerian upstream space becomes a more predictable and competitive investment destination,” she said.
Beyond production targets, the NUPRC chief stressed that the commission is focused on improving the overall health and sustainability of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“Our performance benchmarks go beyond just hitting production numbers. We’re focused on both volume growth and the structural indicators that measure sector health and sustainability,” she added.
