Africa’s Oil Success Demands Unity, Not Solo Efforts, NUPRC Boss Tells Continent’s Regulators

Africa’s petroleum sector success hinges on collective action rather than isolated national efforts, chairperson of the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) and chief executive of Nigeria’s Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, declared on Friday at her maiden Executive Committee Meeting.

The virtual gathering marked Eyesan’s debut as AFRIPERF chair, succeeding the immediate past CCE, Gbenga Komolafe, who laid foundational work for the forum. Established to foster regulatory harmony across Africa’s upstream petroleum industry, AFRIPERF brings together regulators from over 20 member states to tackle shared challenges in a sector vital to the continent’s economy.

Eyesan, a seasoned petroleum engineer with decades in Nigeria’s oil and gas regulation, wasted no time setting an ambitious agenda. She highlighted Africa’s energy vulnerabilities: chronic investment shortfalls amid volatile global prices, aging infrastructure, and mounting pressures from the global energy transition toward renewables.

“Africa’s energy future will be determined not by individual country efforts, but by coordinated and collective regulatory action,” she asserted.

Pointing to successes like joint ventures in the Niger Delta and East African gas projects, Eyesan argued that fragmented approaches leave nations exposed.

“We must work collaboratively toward harmonising regulatory frameworks and advancing sustainable development across the African continent.

The future of Africa’s energy sector depends on our ability to align, integrate and act with purpose,” she told the committee.

For Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer with over 1.48 million barrels per day, Eyesan’s call resonates deeply.

As NUPRC CEO since 2023, she has driven reforms in local content, gas flaring reductions, and investor-friendly policies. Her dual role underscores Nigeria’s leadership ambitions within AFRIPERF, potentially boosting intra-African trade and technology sharing.

Eyesan praised Komolafe’s tenure for institutionalising the forum and member states’ commitment, crediting them with creating a “solid foundation.”

Yet, she warned that without unity, Africa risks being sidelined in global energy deals, from OPEC+ dynamics to green hydrogen initiatives.

The meeting’s outcomes, including plans for joint training and framework reviews, signal AFRIPERF’s intent to evolve into a powerhouse for continental energy security.

As Africa navigates decarbonisation and demand growth, Eyesan’s unity push could redefine regulatory collaboration, positioning the continent as a resilient player on the world stage.