The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has been named the most transparent and outstanding government agency in the country, with commendation for the leadership of its Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, whose stewardship has set a new benchmark for accountability and efficiency in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
In a statement issued in Ghana on Wednesday, the Public Space Tracker in West Africa said NUPRC has demonstrated “remarkable openness, policy innovation, and integrity in the management of Nigeria’s upstream petroleum resources” since Komolafe assumed office.
The organisation described the Commission as a model of how regulatory agencies should function in a democracy, emphasising that transparency in resource governance is not merely a slogan but a measurable practice that has become synonymous with the NUPRC.
Dr. Ousman Zaharadeen, Convener of the Public Space Tracker, noted that the Commission under Komolafe has provided clear data on oil production, licensing, royalties, and revenue remittances in ways that have restored confidence among investors, civil society organisations, and citizens.
“Engr. Gbenga Komolafe has proven that with purposeful leadership, a government institution can be both transparent and efficient. The NUPRC has excelled in publishing credible information, engaging stakeholders with sincerity, and ensuring that Nigeria’s petroleum resources are managed with fairness and accountability. For us, this makes it the most transparent and outstanding agency in Nigeria today,” Zaharadeen said.
The group highlighted the Commission’s consistent practice of publishing industry statistics, ensuring compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and fostering trust through regular engagements with communities, operators, and civil society. It added that these steps have not only improved public accountability but have also enhanced Nigeria’s global image in resource governance.
According to Zaharadeen, NUPRC’s transparency initiatives have helped to reduce opacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, an area that has historically been dogged by secrecy and corruption.
He emphasized that by leading reforms in upstream petroleum regulation, the Commission has placed Nigeria on the path to greater energy justice and fiscal discipline.
“The Commission’s insistence on real-time monitoring of crude oil production and its strong regulatory oversight have curbed leakages and boosted government revenues. Its engagement with host communities has also demonstrated that extractive governance can be people-centred and inclusive,” the statement read.
Public Space Tracker in West Africa also commended NUPRC’s collaborative approach to tackling oil theft, insisting that the Commission’s role has been critical to recent improvements in production and revenue generation.
“The openness with which NUPRC operates has earned it credibility not only at home but also abroad. This is why Nigeria now attracts more serious-minded investors who can see that the rules are clear, consistent, and fairly applied,” Zaharadeen noted.
The organisation urged other government agencies to emulate the Commission’s approach, stressing that transparency and accountability are key to rebuilding citizens’ trust in governance.
“Beyond petroleum, Nigeria needs regulators in every sector who can match the example of NUPRC. This is not about propaganda but about measurable actions that strengthen institutions, reassure investors, and benefit ordinary citizens,” he said.
While calling for sustained reforms, Public Space Tracker in West Africa expressed confidence that under Komolafe’s leadership, the Commission would continue to deepen transparency, strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal base, and drive the country’s transition towards a more accountable resource economy.
“The NUPRC has earned our recognition as the most transparent and outstanding agency in the federation. We commend Engr. Komolafe for his exemplary leadership and urge him to sustain this trajectory of openness, accountability, and innovation in the service of the Nigerian people,” the statement concluded.
