Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has announced bold steps to streamline regulatory processes, eliminate bottlenecks, and create a business-friendly environment aimed at attracting investment into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Speaking at the just concluded 2025 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair, NOGOF, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, NMDPRA Chief Executive, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, said the agency is committed to operational efficiency and transparency in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, 2021.
The NOGOF 2025 event, organized by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, gathered top industry players, investors, and policymakers.
Ahmed represented by the Authority’s Regional Coordinator, South-south, Mrs. Ajayi Comfort, emphasized that Nigeria’s energy potential can only be realized by reducing bureaucratic delays and enabling ease of doing business across midstream and downstream operations.
He said, “To drive production growth, we must address key challenges such as financing, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory bottlenecks. NMDPRA is streamlining processes to ensure transparency, facilitate business operations, and boost investor confidence.
“As the regulator of Nigeria’s mid and downstream sector, we recognize the importance of indigenous capacity building for long-term resilience and value creation. When we prioritize local participation, we are not only retaining economic value within Nigeria but also encouraging innovation and job creation.”
Highlighting the PIA’s provisions, particularly Part IV, Section 31, Ahmed said the legal framework provides a solid foundation for transforming Nigeria’s oil and gas landscape.
“We are committed to creating an enabling environment that encourages investment while ensuring Nigerian businesses and professionals play a pivotal role in the sector’s growth,” he noted.
He further assured that NMDPRA is collaborating with sister agencies like NCDMB to expand gas utilization, improve local refining, and promote cleaner energy alternatives in alignment with global energy transition trends.
“We believe that a sustainable oil and gas industry depends on our ability to develop and leverage homegrown expertise, technology, and infrastructure. This collaboration with NCDMB is crucial to unlocking new opportunities.”
Ahmed praised NOGOF 2025 as a unique platform for stakeholders to engage, share insights, and form strategic partnerships.
