Stakeholders set agenda for new NUPRC, NMDPRA bosses

Stakeholders say clearer production data and stronger support for local refining offer practical solutions for restoring investor confidence under the new petroleum regulatory leadership.

They spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Friday on expectations for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Saidu Mohammed as NMDPRA Chief Executive and confirmed Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as NUPRC Chief Executive on Dec. 15.

An energy lawyer, Dr Ayodele Oni, said both regulators should jointly publish accurate monthly production data to boost transparency, policy clarity and investor trust.

Oni urged practical, lasting solutions to the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation, alongside stronger institutional backing for domestic refiners.

He said the NUPRC should conclude the licensing round and tighten compliance to reduce leakages and improve fiscal discipline.

According to Oni, the NMDPRA should prioritise safety, environmental standards and effective market oversight to guarantee fuel availability and quality.

He also advised the new leadership to consolidate areas where the outgoing management delivered strong performance.

MEMAN Chief Executive, Dr Clement Isong, praised the outgoing NMDPRA leadership for integrating key petroleum agencies into a single authority.

“That integration was no mean feat,” Isong said, noting it helped stabilise downstream regulation and policy coordination.

He said steady stakeholder engagement during petrol price deregulation helped prevent supply disruptions and improve industry transparency.

Isong described Mohammed as a seasoned professional and pledged industry support for policies that deepen regulatory effectiveness.

He added that sustained investment in staff skills, safety systems, automation and customer service would strengthen downstream regulation.

CPPE Chief Executive, Dr Muda Yusuf, said domestic refining and energy security must anchor Nigeria’s new petroleum regulatory era.

Yusuf urged deliberate support for locally refined products to cut imports and align downstream policy with the Nigeria-First agenda.

He said fair competition requires equal regulatory and fiscal conditions for imported and locally refined petroleum products.

Yusuf added that domestic refining drives jobs, foreign exchange savings and long-term economic stability.

On the upstream segment, he called for urgent investment to raise crude output amid tightening global energy transition timelines.

Yusuf urged the NUPRC to target at least two million barrels daily through investment facilitation, security improvements and industry collaboration.

NAN