NUPRC Chief Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan launches reforms to accelerate Nigeria oil output and improve regulatory efficiency in the upstream sector

Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), unveiled a sweeping reform agenda on Wednesday aimed at accelerating Nigeria oil output, enhancing regulatory efficiency and tightening hydrocarbon accountability.

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The announcement took place at a stakeholder engagement in Lagos attended by members of the Oil Producers Trade Section, the Independent Petroleum Producers Group, emerging operators and other key industry participants.

Eyesan revealed that the commission had commenced a 90-day programme to fast-track approvals for near-ready Field Development Plans, well interventions, rig mobilisation and other “quick-win” opportunities capable of delivering early barrels to the market.

She described the initiative as a strategic effort to support the Federal Government’s target of raising crude production to two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030.

According to a statement by the NUPRC’s Head of Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu, Eyesan’s vision for the upstream sector rests on three pillars: production optimisation and revenue expansion, regulatory predictability and speed, and safe, governed, sustainable operations.

The agenda is closely aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising growth, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil industry.

“The commission, going forward, will issue quarterly progress reports and ensure that all high-impact shut-in fields are prioritised for approval,” Eyesan said.

She disclosed that the programme has already started delivering results, including the reactivation of a long-dormant asset, while committing to full compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act within 12 months.

Eyesan also emphasised regulatory predictability, stating that the NUPRC will operate “like a service” with transparent rules, time-bound decisions, and published Service Level Agreements for major approvals.

Operators will benefit from a digital workflow for permitting, reporting, and data submission, alongside targeted interventions to address capacity gaps and accelerate project delivery.

As part of efforts to deepen engagement, Eyesan announced a monthly CCE–Operators Leadership Forum, which will bring together NNPC, OPTS, IPPG, and emerging producers to focus on approval timelines, production restoration, infrastructure integrity, and gas monetisation.

She highlighted the importance of strengthening hydrocarbon accounting to safeguard national revenue, insisting that every barrel produced must be tracked and discrepancies addressed promptly.

The NUPRC boss further confirmed the commission’s commitment to host communities by pledging engagement to reinforce the implementation of Host Community Development Trusts, a requirement under the Petroleum Industry Act.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has faced declining output in recent years due to underinvestment, oil theft, and regulatory delays.

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Eyesan’s leadership, marked by decades of technical and regulatory experience, signals a renewed drive to restore investor confidence, streamline approvals, and boost Nigeria oil output.