Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a renewed push toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, has deepened its partnership with the World Bank Group and other global institutions to accelerate methane abatement and strengthen emissions management across Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector.
The commitment was reaffirmed at a three-day Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification, MMRV, Capacity Building Programme in Abuja, which brought together over 70 participants, including representatives of International Oil Companies, IOCs, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, indigenous operators, and independent producers.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission Chief Executive, Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, the Executive Commissioner, Development and Production, Engineer Enorense Amadasu, said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s decarbonisation agenda and the global energy transition targets.
“Methane emissions account for a significant share of Nigeria’s upstream greenhouse gas footprint, mainly from flaring, venting, and fugitive sources,” Amadasu explained.
“This collaboration with the World Bank is a critical step toward equipping our operators with the tools and knowledge needed to reduce emissions and enhance energy efficiency.”
He stressed that the Commission is determined to ensure that every operator in the upstream sector integrates measurable emission-reduction strategies into their operations, in line with international best practices and the Paris Agreement objectives.
The programme, according to the organisers, was designed to build the technical and regulatory capacity necessary for accurate emissions tracking and management, while preparing Nigeria’s operators to participate in emerging carbon markets.
Recapping the three-day session, Engineer Joseph O. Ogunsola, Director, Energy Sustainability and Carbon Management at the NUPRC, said the workshop marked a significant step in advancing carbon monetisation opportunities and positioning Nigeria as a responsible energy producer.
“The Commission remains unwavering in its commitment to aligning Nigeria’s upstream petroleum operations with global standards for emissions management and carbon monetisation,” Ogunsola stated.
“We are creating a framework that allows operators not only to comply with environmental regulations but also to gain economic value through efficient emissions reduction.”
He added that NUPRC’s long-term goal is to institutionalise robust Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification, MMRV, systems to ensure transparency and accountability in emission data reporting.
The collaboration with the World Bank, he noted, is part of a broader strategy to support Nigeria’s transition toward low-carbon development, leveraging innovation, technology, and stakeholder engagement to drive sustainable growth in the oil and gas industry.
As global pressure mounts on energy producers to reduce their carbon footprint, NUPRC’s engagement with international partners could help Nigeria unlock climate finance opportunities while safeguarding its competitiveness in the evolving global energy landscape.
