Nigeria’s upstream oil regulator is set for a major digital shift as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) announces plans to fully digitise its operations within 60 days. The move, according to the Commission’s leadership, will eliminate paper-based processes, boost transparency and fast-track regulatory efficiency in the oil and gas sector.
Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan disclosed the plan during a working visit by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
‘No Paper Trail in 60 Days’
Eyesan made it clear that the Commission has already set a firm timeline for implementation.
“We have set for ourselves a 60-day programme to digitise our interactions and communications within the Commission. I can assure you that once we get to day 60, there will be no paper trail within the Commission. All our transmissions will be electronic, which also means speed is assured. It means we will be able to trace where we have hiccups.”
She noted that previous automation efforts, especially in royalty monitoring and payments, have significantly improved compliance levels.
“I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that for royalty payments, the default rate was enormous before 2025 when the Commission went live on the system. Now, compliance has improved.”
NEITI Seeks Stronger Collaboration
In his remarks, NEITI Executive Secretary Musa Adar called for deeper institutional collaboration, particularly through improved data sharing and regulatory coordination.
“There is a need for the Commission to carry NEITI along in its operations. This will not only enhance transparency but also deepen investor confidence. We also expect the regulator to be firm with operators that run afoul of the law.”
Adar further urged the Commission to participate actively in the 2026 global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative conference to strengthen its adoption of global best practices.
With Nigeria intensifying reforms following the Petroleum Industry Act, full digitisation of NUPRC’s operations is expected to curb revenue leakages, enhance oversight and reinforce investor confidence in Africa’s largest oil producer.