|By Adejumo Adekunle-
-Stakeholders Back PIA Implementation, Commend NUPRC’s Transparency Drive
–Call for Institutionalised Monitoring to Sustain Reforms in Oil Sector
Policy experts, civil society leaders, and petroleum scholars have declared that the effective and transparent implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) could unlock sustainable investments and reduce tensions in oil-producing regions.
The stakeholders made the assertion at a one-day forum tagged ‘Situation Room on Monitoring of PIA’, held in Abuja and organised by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) in partnership with Shafana Enterprises Limited.
The event drew together a wide range of voices, including traditional rulers, students, legal experts, and civil society organisations, to assess the current status of the PIA implementation and explore opportunities to entrench transparency, regulatory integrity, and community participation in the oil and gas sector.
They agreed that NUPRC’s transparent approach under the leadership of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the petroleum sector and urged that such practices be replicated and monitored regularly.
NUPRC Applauded for Reform-Driven Leadership
Delivering the keynote, Dr. Henry Efemona Idudje of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, praised the Commission’s efforts in cleaning up the upstream petroleum sector.
“Under Komolafe, the Commission has taken visible steps to end the era of opaque regulation. From transparent licensing rounds to clearer fiscal disclosures, we are seeing real progress,” Idudje asserted.
Also speaking, Dr. Arisabor Lucky, a petroleum law expert, noted that legal enforcement and accountability were crucial to the PIA’s success.
“The law is only as effective as its enforcers. What we’ve seen so far from NUPRC, especially regarding host community provisions and reporting obligations, is commendable,” he added.
Calls for Quarterly Multi-Stakeholder Reviews
Participants at the forum urged the institutionalisation of quarterly situation rooms across oil-producing states to monitor progress and ensure consistent community feedback.
A representative from the Nigeria Maritime University, Delta State, highlighted the importance of civil society engagement in sustaining reforms:
“NUPRC’s openness to civic participation and data sharing is a major shift from the past. We must ensure that space remains open.”
Traditional Rulers, Youths, and Community Voices Weigh In
Mallam Nasir Abdulquadri, Project Manager at Shafana Enterprises, described the PIA as “one of the most consequential legislative interventions” in Nigeria’s oil history.
“What we need now is consistency and openness. NUPRC is showing that commitment through stronger monitoring and enforcement,” he said.
Traditional rulers also praised the Commission’s efforts to bridge the trust gap with host communities. Chief Ekeme Otuedon of Delta State said:
“We’ve seen more engagement and communication from NUPRC in the past year. That makes a real difference.”
A student voice, Fejiro Oghenegivwe, from Delta State University, emphasized how these changes inspire confidence in the next generation:
“As future engineers and scientists, we are encouraged by the transparency in regulatory practices. It shows that merit and accountability are possible in this industry.”
