In the Nigerian oil and gas sector, Engr. Gbenga Olu Komolafe, OFR, FNSE, stands as a colossus, a steadfast guide steering the nation’s energy vessel through uncharted waters with clarity, vision and resolve.
For over three decades, he has carved pathways of change like a master craftsman shaping marble, etching his enduring legacy into the fabric of the upstream petroleum sector. With the heart of a pioneer and the wisdom of a sage, he has been both architect and navigator, building bridges where boundaries once stood and illuminating possibilities where once there was darkness. He wears double professional caps, thinking empirically like an engineer and reasoning logically like a lawyer.
As the pioneer commission chief executive (CCE) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), he has turned the wheel of transformation with his steadfast hands, tethering Nigeria’s energy framework to the rhythm of global excellence. The Petroleum Industry Act, under his watchful care, has become a lantern of progress, a beacon for sustainable growth and regulatory integrity, casting warm light on the nation’s energy transition.
Under his visionary guidance, the NUPRC has surpassed its revenue targets by up to 84.2 per cent, driving robust economic growth and sectoral transformation.
As the pioneer CCE, Engr. Komolafe has masterfully integrated engineering precision and legal acumen to advance the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), establishing regulatory frameworks of transparency, sustainability and global best practice.
His leadership has fostered digital innovation with the most transparent bid rounds in Nigeria’s history and operationalised the “Drill or Drop” policy, revitalising dormant fields and attracting billions of dollars in investment.
Key achievements under his tenure include:
Investment momentum: Approval of 79 Field Development Plans (FDPs) with potential investments approaching $40 billion, reflecting a robust framework for attracting both local and international capital.
Production growth: A sustained rise in crude oil production, with current average daily output at 1.68 million barrels per day after reaching approximately 1.8 million in July 2025, marking the highest daily production level in recent times, and a clear pathway to 2.5 million bpd by 2027 through strategic initiatives.
Curbing crude oil theft: In 2021, the average daily crude oil losses stood at 102,900 barrels per day or 37.6 million barrels per year. However, due to the combined efforts of the general security forces and private security contractors (TANTITA) as well as the collaborative effort of the Commission, this has been reduced by 90 per cent to specifically 9,600bpd in September 2025.
Furthermore, two pioneer regulations introduced by the Commission have also contributed to the success: The Upstream Measurement Regulation and the Advanced Cargo Declaration Regulation, respectively, have contributed as pioneer efforts at achieving transparency in hydrocarbon accounting.
Development wells hit 306 between 2022 and 2025: As part of its mandate to develop the country’s hydrocarbons, the Commission has recorded 306 development wells drilled and completed between 2022 and 2025.
Removing hindrances to exploration with 2D and 3D seismic data: The NUPRC issued Nigeria’s first Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) for a large offshore geophysical survey covering 56,000 km² of 3D seismic and gravity data.
Furthermore, the Commission has reprocessed 17,000 line-kilometres of 2D seismic data and 28,000 square kilometres of 3D seismic data, producing sharper, higher-resolution images of our petroleum systems and reducing the uncertainties that once hindered exploration decisions.
Other data acquisition includes 11,300 Sq.km of newly acquired 3D data, processed to PSDM and 80,000 Sq.km of multi-beam echo sounding & seafloor geochemical coring data.
Transparent licensing: Transformation of licensing rounds into a fully digital, transparent process, praised by NEITI and endorsed by national leadership, marking a milestone in credibility and governance.
Asset optimisation: Implementation of the “Drill or Drop” policy to relinquish dormant acreages, accelerating exploration and maximising asset value.
Exploration resurgence: A significant increase in rig activity reflects renewed investor confidence and a climate conducive to responsible energy development.
Strategic divestments: Multibillion-dollar portfolio realignments to emphasise deep-offshore development and modernised asset portfolios.
Regulatory framework: Development and gazetting of forward-looking regulations to provide clarity, predictability, and a competitive investment climate.
Gas flaring reduction: Completion of the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, driving environmental sustainability and unlocking substantial investment potential.
Host community development: Substantial remittances to host community development trusts and deployment of ESG-aligned governance tools such as HostComply, supporting hundreds of community projects and contributing to security and social outcomes.
Digital transformation: Full automation of regulatory processes, reducing bureaucracy and enhancing service delivery for industry participants and the public.
Regional leadership: Founding leadership of AFRIPERF, advancing regulatory harmonisation and cross-border collaboration across Africa’s oil and gas regimes.
Engr. Gbenga Komolafe’s leadership transcends regulatory administration; it embodies a strategic vision for Nigeria’s energy future, one that aligns resource wealth with sustainable development, investor confidence, and social progress. His work has strengthened Nigeria’s reputation as a transparent, investment-ready upstream jurisdiction and a reliable platform for regional energy cooperation.
A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), Engr. Komolafe embodies the convergence of diligence and innovation. His career has been a symphony of leadership roles, each note harmonising into a melody that resonates with progress, resilience and vision. Across roles as pioneer managing director, Nigeria Pipeline and Storage Company (NPSC) of NNPC; group general manager, special duties, NNPC; group general manager, crude oil marketing division (COMD) of NNPC; executive director, commercial, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) of NNPC; general manager, operations, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF); general manager, operations, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), he has been the steady drumbeat driving innovation, collaboration, and the empowerment of tomorrow’s leaders.
Beyond his role, he is a custodian of honour whose contributions have been recognised across the nation and beyond. As he is an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), the country itself has acknowledged his lifelong dedication. The University of Benin has conferred upon him an honorary doctorate in Science (D.Sc).
Not merely a technocrat, Engr. Komolafe is a weaver of progress, knitting together threads of transparency, accountability and humanity. He has sat at the table of presidential committees, his voice a clarion call for justice, integrity and sustainable development. In the oil and gas landscape, he has carried the torch of innovation, casting long shadows of influence on policies, practices and partnerships.
Engr. Komolafe is a good family man who is happily married and has children. He enjoys golf and music.
For outstanding dedication, transformative achievements and visionary stewardship, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe deserves recognition as the LEADERSHIP CEO of the Year 2025. He is a true architect of Nigeria’s energy future.
