A regional oil policy think tank, the West Africa Centre for Energy Policy and Reforms (WACEPR), has congratulated Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission Chief Executive (CCE) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), on receiving the SERVICOM Outstanding Leadership Award.
In a statement issued on Friday in Accra and signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Kwabena Mensah-Ashitey, the Centre described Komolafe’s recognition as a “well-deserved honour for a reform-minded technocrat whose leadership has restored transparency, efficiency, and professionalism to Nigeria’s upstream regulatory environment”.
The Centre commended Komolafe’s stewardship since assuming office as the pioneer head of the NUPRC following the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), noting that he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to building a performance-driven regulator that balances investor confidence with national interest.
“We have observed that Under Engr. Komolafe, NUPRC has proven to be a model of institutional independence and technical competence within West Africa’s oil governance space,” the statement reads.
“From implementing the fiscal provisions of the PIA to deepening host community engagement and driving data transparency in hydrocarbon production, his administration has repositioned Nigeria’s upstream sector for global competitiveness.”
Dr. Mensah-Ashitey highlighted the Commission’s strides in ensuring equitable implementation of the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), which he said has given oil-producing communities a direct voice in project planning, benefit distribution, and environmental management.
He also praised NUPRC’s reforms in production optimization, hydrocarbon measurement, and decarbonisation — all of which, he noted, align with the global transition to cleaner energy while sustaining Nigeria’s revenue base.
“The upstream reforms led by Komolafe have introduced a new level of accountability. Nigeria now publishes clearer data on production, investment flows, and environmental performance. These efforts not only attract investors but also assure citizens that the nation’s petroleum wealth is being managed with integrity,” the statement continued.
The Ghana-based Centre further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for maintaining a policy of non-interference in the activities of NUPRC, saying this has allowed the regulator to operate professionally and uphold the letter and spirit of the PIA.
“President Tinubu deserves commendation for giving the Commission the autonomy it requires to perform. The independence of NUPRC under his administration is a refreshing model in a region where regulatory capture has often undermined energy sector reforms,” Mensah-Ashitey noted.
The statement also lauded Komolafe’s collaboration with international development partners, including the World Bank and the Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership, aimed at accelerating decarbonisation efforts in Nigeria’s upstream industry and improving emission management standards.
“As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria’s example under Komolafe’s leadership offers valuable lessons to other resource-dependent economies. His focus on service delivery, staff welfare, and institutional ethics reflects a brand of leadership that transcends bureaucracy — one rooted in public service and long-term value creation,” WACEPR added.
The sub-regional energy think tank urged other regulators in the region to emulate the NUPRC’s performance-driven approach, describing Komolafe’s SERVICOM award as “a testament to what is achievable when competence meets integrity in public service”.
