Nigeria’s oil and gas regulators, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), have agreed to deepen collaboration to improve regulatory efficiency and stimulate investment across the energy sector.
The renewed partnership was sealed during a meeting at the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, January 8, 2026, according to a statement issued by the Commission’s Head of Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu.
At the meeting, both agencies resolved to strengthen coordination by appointing designated representatives to jointly address regulatory challenges spanning the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments. The move is aimed at reducing bottlenecks, aligning regulatory processes and creating a more investor-friendly environment.
To sustain the collaboration, the two regulators also agreed to institutionalise quarterly meetings to enhance communication, ensure quicker resolution of issues, and maintain consistent regulatory oversight across the oil and gas value chain.
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Speaking at the engagement, NUPRC Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, stressed that cooperation between the agencies is essential to the growth of the industry, describing the sector as central to Nigeria’s economic stability. She noted that the overlapping nature of the value chain makes synergy unavoidable for effective regulation.
Eyesan described the meeting as the start of sustained engagement and reaffirmed both agencies’ commitment to working jointly to drive industry growth. She also invited the NMDPRA leadership to the upcoming pre-bid conference for the ongoing licensing round scheduled for January 14, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos. The exercise, which offers 50 oil and gas blocks, is expected to attract significant local and foreign investment.
In his remarks, NMDPRA Chief Executive Saidu Aliyu Mohammed highlighted the shared roots of both agencies, noting that they emerged from the former Department of Petroleum Resources. He called for closer cooperation, urging that any disagreements be resolved internally in the spirit of partnership.
The renewed alliance underscores a joint commitment by both regulators to improve oversight, enhance investor confidence, and support sustainable growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
