The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has called on the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) to uphold industry benchmarks, invest in human capital, and strengthen corporate governance.
The Commission Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyewa Eyesan, made the appeal during a courtesy visit by an IPPG delegation led by its Chairman, Mr. Adegbite Falade, at NUPRC’s headquarters, Abuja on Monday.
Describing IPPG as a major industry force, especially after international oil companies’ divestments, Eyesan reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to a strong working relationship with the group. She stressed full compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and highlighted the critical need for workforce development and ethical governance.
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“One area we need to spotlight is human capital development,” Eyesan said. “As the industry grows, there is a tendency to default, and if we allow that to fester, it will hurt all of us. Financiers are rating Nigeria, not individual companies. If we don’t bring our human capacity to par, we will create a big problem for ourselves.”
She urged IPPG to hold its members to the same high standards as international oil companies.
“As a pressure group, you should hold yourselves to a standard—that is something the IOCs have done very well,” she said.
Eyesan assured the group that NUPRC remains a business enabler, responsive to industry needs in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision.
She also announced that the Commission had gone fully paperless as of Friday, April 18, 2026.
“When I took over, we realised we needed to transform and set up a transformation team. We are happy to announce that on Friday, April 18, we went paperless, with everyone’s collaboration,” she said.
In response, IPPG Chairman Adegbite Falade, who is also CEO of Aradel Holdings, praised Eyesan’s leadership since her appointment in December 2025.
“You have not been here long, but the signs of your dynamic leadership are very clear. We do not take it for granted,” Falade said.
He urged NUPRC to regularly consult IPPG, adding, “You can always count on and trust that the Nigerian agenda is at the heart of our mandate.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in Mass Communication. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X