New NUPRC Board Pledges Infrastructure Overhaul Amid Oil Price Surge

The newly inaugurated board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) pledged priority on office accommodation to address staff productivity issues, as oil prices rise due to the Middle East crisis.

At the commission’s headquarters after inauguration, Board Chairman Senator Magnus Abe said office accommodation should take priority. “I believe that of all the priorities we should have, getting a proper office accommodation should take priority over everything else,” Abe stated.

Commission Chief Executive Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan noted oil and gas industry volatility from the Middle East war and energy transition. “Today, the oil and gas industry is seeing volatility because of the war in the Middle East and the transition and its impact on the industry,” she said. Eyesan added that Nigeria must respond to energy transition and Middle East disruptions.

Eyesan congratulated the board and restated management’s commitment to industry reforms.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume said the federal government aims to strengthen petroleum governance. He stated the board is to provide strategic oversight, policy direction, and institutional stability. Akume said this aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which includes strong institutions, rule of law, and integrity in public service. He charged the board to uphold corporate governance, ensure accountability and transparency, and maintain regulatory independence.

Board members include Senator Magnus Abe (chairman), Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan (Chief Executive), Engineer Sunday Babalola, Engineer Paul Jezhi, Bashari Indabawa, Muhammed Sabo Lamido, Patience Oyekunle (permanent secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources), Mustapha Lamorde (executive director, HSEC, NMDPRA), and Dalhat Muhammad Kamal (director, Ministry of Finance), while Olayemi Adeboyejo serves as Commission secretary/legal adviser.