Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, for its “high-impact achievements” within four years of its establishment.
According to the Minister, the Commission’s reforms have contributed significantly to renewed investor confidence and rig activity in the country’s oil and gas sector.
Lokpobiri made the remarks while receiving a delegation from the NUPRC, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, during a courtesy visit to mark the Commission’s fourth anniversary following the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.
He noted that the evolution of global discourse from “energy transition” to “energy mix” presents Nigeria with a practical pathway to harness its resources sustainably, adding that the success of the sector would be measured by its impact on businesses and national prosperity.
“With the narrative evolving from energy transition to energy mix, I believe that our success in improving the energy sector will ultimately be measured by how many businesses we have enabled in our energy sector,” Lokpobiri said.
The Minister lauded NUPRC for providing transparent and effective regulation, which he described as crucial for investor confidence and operational efficiency in the upstream segment.
“NUPRC, as the technical and commercial regulator of our energy sector, has delivered high-impact achievements within its short but eventful four years of existence, a feat truly deserving of commendation,” he stated.
Lokpobiri also disclosed that Nigeria’s rig count has seen significant growth since he assumed office, increasing from 14 active rigs to 64 as of today, reflecting improved exploration and production activity under the current administration’s reform agenda.
“Even with the growth from 14 rigs, as of when I assumed office, to 64 rigs as of today, we recognize that we are still not where we aspire to be. However, we have laid a solid foundation for sustained progress,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s energy landscape must be driven through collaboration and accountability among all stakeholders.
“The transformation of our energy sector remains a collective journey, one that must be undertaken with transparency, inclusivity, and shared purpose among all stakeholders, in the best interest of our nation,” Lokpobiri added.
Lokpobiri, who shared his remarks via his official handle on X, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that regulatory reforms under the PIA translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians and the broader energy ecosystem.
