By Atoyebi Nike
The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, has called for enhanced collaboration between the media and the Commission to deepen public understanding of ongoing oil and gas reforms.
Speaking at a two-day Strategic Media Workshop for oil and gas correspondents in Abuja, Komolafe described the press as an indispensable partner in communicating the Commission’s progress and regulatory goals under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
“The media plays a pivotal role in helping the public grasp our reform efforts. This workshop is more than training, it’s a strategic engagement to align narratives and clarify our intent,” he said.
Highlighting NUPRC’s achievements, Komolafe noted that Nigeria’s oil production rose from just over one million barrels per day to 1.7 million barrels, with rig counts increasing from 8 to 46 progress he attributed to regulatory reforms and investor-friendly policies enabled by the PIA.
He also referenced the “Project 1 Million Barrel Additional Incremental” as a key initiative aimed at expanding output while lowering production costs.
The NUPRC chief credited President Bola Tinubu’s executive orders for removing longstanding bottlenecks and attracting new investment into the sector. However, he acknowledged the challenges regulators face, including legal disputes, criticism, and reputation risks.
“In such an environment, accurate and responsible journalism becomes even more vital. Only through transparent communication can we build public trust and foster accountability,” he said.
Komolafe concluded by urging journalists to support national goals through fact-based reporting, pledging that the NUPRC would continue to uphold regulatory excellence and transparency in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector.
