The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has unveiled an ambitious 60-day plan to fully digitise its internal communications, eliminating all paper trails and paving the way for faster, more transparent operations in Nigeria’s vital oil and gas sector.
NUPRC chief executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, made the pledge during a courtesy visit by the executive secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, to the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja on February 23, 2026.
The move aligns with broader regulatory reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, aimed at boosting efficiency and investor trust amid ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment.
“We have set for ourselves a 60-day programme to digitise our interactions and communications within the commission,” Eyesan declared. “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,” Eyesan said in a statement by NUPRC head, Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu.
She highlighted early wins from partial digitisation, particularly in royalty enforcement.
“I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that for royalty payments, the default rate was enormous prior to 2025 when the Commission went live on the system. Now, compliance has improved significantly,” she added. This digital leap comes as NUPRC oversees the ongoing 2025 Licensing Round, where transparency is key to securing bids from international oil companies.
The NUPRC boss also called for a stronger partnership with NEITI to embed accountability across the upstream value chain.
“We seek a deepened relationship with NEITI, which will foster transparency especially amid the 2025 Licensing Round,” she said.In response, Hon. Adar emphasized mutual collaboration.
“There is a need for the NUPRC to carry NEITI along in its operations, as this would not only enhance transparency but also deepen investor confidence,” he stated.
He urged NUPRC to crack down on oil firms violating the PIA and invited active participation in the 2026 EITI flagship conference for insights into global best practices.Adar further requested robust data-sharing mechanisms to bolster NEITI’s oversight role. “We are here to seek understanding, and we must collaborate,” he affirmed.
This development underscores Nigeria’s push towards a modern, tech-driven petroleum regulator, potentially setting a benchmark for other agencies.
With the 60-day clock ticking, stakeholders await tangible outcomes by late April 2026.
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