According to Nivo News, a renowned energy governance scholar, Prof. Josiah Danladi, has hailed President Bola Tinubu’s administration for implementing what he described as a bold and transformative overhaul of Nigeria’s oil and gas upstream sector.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking at the Citizens Connect Conference in Lagos, Prof. Danladi noted that the President’s leadership has restored public confidence in the sector through reforms anchored on transparency, accountability, and data-driven governance. He said the sector, once burdened by corruption and inefficiency, is now experiencing renewal and progress.

“Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and through the capable leadership of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) headed by Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the industry has been reborn on the foundation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). What we see today is not chance but structured and deliberate leadership,” he said.

The scholar revealed that within just two years, the NUPRC has generated over ₦12.25 trillion for the federation, describing the achievement as a reflection of effective monitoring systems and strong enforcement mechanisms. He added that the removal of fuel subsidy has further freed up significant resources that are now being channelled into road construction, education, healthcare, power, and youth empowerment.

Prof. Danladi also stated that Nigeria is gradually moving from being a net importer to a potential exporter of refined petroleum products. He commended the NUPRC for reviving dormant oil blocks, enforcing electronic reporting, and promoting strict compliance with field development plans.

He emphasised that the administration’s focus on gas as a transition fuel has created opportunities for investors through the Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, turning environmental liabilities into economic gains and job creation.

“The Petroleum Industry Act did not just restructure institutions; it redefined relationships between government, industry, and host communities,” he said. He explained that under Komolafe’s leadership, the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) have received over ₦358 billion, funding more than 500 community projects in education, healthcare, road construction, and youth empowerment.

Prof. Danladi maintained that the emphasis on transparency has positioned the NUPRC as one of the most efficient and forward-looking institutions under President Tinubu. With electronic reporting and real-time production tracking now in place, he said the era of guesswork in Nigeria’s oil production is over.

He further noted that international rating agencies now regard Nigeria’s oil regulatory framework as more predictable and investor-friendly than it has been in the past decade, making the country a rising energy investment hub in Africa.

The scholar cautioned that these gains must be safeguarded through continuity and focus. “These achievements didn’t happen by accident. They are the product of a reform-driven administration that values competence. But reforms are a journey, not an event. The progress made can easily be lost if we lose focus,” he warned.

He concluded by affirming that Nigerians are increasingly satisfied with NUPRC’s performance, describing the Commission as a model of effective governance under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.