The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have pledged closer institutional cooperation aimed at reducing regulatory overlaps, improving operational clarity and strengthening investor confidence across Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
The commitment emerged during a meeting in Abuja between the Chief Executive of NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and the newly appointed Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Rabiu Abdullahi Umar.
According to officials familiar with the engagement, discussions focused on improving alignment between both regulatory bodies and developing a more coordinated framework for supervising activities across the upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum value chain.
In a statement issued by the NUPRC’s Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, both regulators reaffirmed their shared responsibility in ensuring stability, efficiency and long-term growth within the oil and gas sector.
The agencies also stressed the need for greater policy consistency and coordinated regulatory action in dealing with operators, investors and wider industry stakeholders.
According to the statement, both institutions acknowledged that their mandates are derived from the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and noted that stronger collaboration would help improve the effectiveness of industry regulation.
One of the major issues discussed during the meeting was the need to address regulatory uncertainty affecting investment decisions and operational confidence within the sector.
Eyesan said the engagement reflected growing cooperation between the two institutions, adding that closer coordination was already contributing to improved stability across parts of the petroleum industry.
She cited the absence of significant fuel supply disruptions in recent months despite global market volatility as an indication that collaboration among regulators and industry stakeholders was helping to support market stability.
The NUPRC chief executive also noted that regulatory alignment remains important as Nigeria seeks to attract additional investments into oil production, gas development, refining infrastructure and petroleum logistics.
On his part, Umar described both agencies as institutions with a common responsibility toward supporting Nigeria’s energy security objectives and long-term industry growth.
He stated that improved coordination between upstream and downstream regulators would help strengthen policy implementation, operational efficiency and investor confidence.
The regulators also commended recent policy reforms introduced under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that ongoing fiscal measures, security interventions and inter-agency harmonisation efforts have contributed to improved stability within the petroleum sector.
Both agencies expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between regulatory institutions and continued policy reforms would help position Nigeria’s oil and gas industry for sustained growth and increased competitiveness.
The Petroleum Industry Act, signed into law in 2021, restructured Nigeria’s petroleum sector and established separate regulatory institutions for the upstream and midstream/downstream segments of the industry.
Under the framework, the NUPRC oversees upstream exploration and production activities, while the NMDPRA is responsible for regulating refining, gas processing, transportation, distribution and petroleum product marketing.
Industry stakeholders have repeatedly called for improved coordination between the two agencies to reduce duplication, eliminate regulatory bottlenecks and improve Nigeria’s attractiveness to local and foreign investors.