Regulator Targets Faster Approvals, Shut-In Fields and Stronger Accountability as FG Eyes 3mbpd by 2030
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has rolled out an ambitious reform programme aimed at accelerating crude oil production, tightening hydrocarbon accountability and improving regulatory efficiency, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to raise output to three million barrels per day by 2030.
Commission Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan announced the initiative on Wednesday during a stakeholder engagement in Lagos, where she unveiled her strategic vision for Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector.
Central to the reform agenda is a 90-day fast-track approval programme designed to unlock near-ready production opportunities, including Field Development Plans (FDPs), well interventions, rig mobilisation and other quick-win projects capable of delivering early barrels.
The engagement brought together operators under the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), emerging producers and other key industry stakeholders.
Three-Pillar Reform Agenda
In a statement issued by the commission’s Head of Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu, Eyesan said the reform agenda is built on three core pillars:
production optimisation and revenue growth; regulatory speed and predictability; and safe, governed and sustainable operations.
According to the commission, the strategy aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which targets crude oil production of two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030.
Eyesan said the commission would focus on restoring shut-in volumes with economic value, slowing natural field decline, reducing losses and shortening time-to-first oil without introducing additional regulatory costs for operators.
“This work has already begun. We recently brought back production from a long shut-in asset,” she said, without providing further details.
Faster Approvals, Predictable Regulation
The NUPRC boss said regulatory predictability would be achieved by repositioning regulation as a service, supported by transparent enforcement and time-bound decision-making.
To support this, the commission plans to publish Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for major regulatory approvals, clearly defining timelines and responsibilities for both operators and regulators.
“A 90-day programme to fast-track approvals for near-ready FDPs, rig mobilisation and other quick-win opportunities is already underway,” Eyesan said.
She urged operators with mature projects to submit proposals by the end of the first quarter of 2026, noting that quarterly progress reports would be issued to track performance.
Full Compliance With PIA in 12 Months
Eyesan also pledged 100 per cent compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) within 12 months, overseen by a dedicated monitoring team reporting directly to her office.
She said regulatory efficiency would be further enhanced through the deployment of digital workflows for permitting, reporting and data submissions, alongside targeted capacity-building initiatives across the industry.
The commission is also undergoing an internal restructuring driven by a Project Management Office, details of which are expected to be announced soon.
Monthly Engagement With Operators
As part of efforts to remove operational bottlenecks, Eyesan announced the creation of a monthly CCE–Operators Leadership Forum, bringing together NNPC Limited, OPTS, IPPG and emerging producers.
The forum will focus on key issues such as approval timelines, production restoration, infrastructure integrity, gas development and monetisation.
Stronger Hydrocarbon Accountability
The NUPRC chief stressed the importance of accurate hydrocarbon measurement and accounting, noting that every barrel produced must be properly tracked to protect national revenue.
“Every barrel counts. Discrepancies and losses must be identified and addressed promptly,” she said.
On host communities, Eyesan said the commission would soon engage community leaders to reinforce commitment to the Host Community Development Trusts, a critical provision of the PIA.
Reversing Declining Output
Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has struggled with declining output in recent years due to underinvestment, oil theft and prolonged regulatory delays.
Despite occasional production recoveries, persistent shortfalls against budget and OPEC targets have underscored deeper structural challenges within the sector.
The Federal Government has repeatedly pledged to reverse the trend, with the NUPRC now positioning itself as a key driver of faster approvals, improved governance and renewed investor confidence.
Eyesan was appointed Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC in December 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following a leadership transition at the upstream regulator established under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
Before her appointment, she held senior technical and regulatory roles in the upstream industry, with extensive experience in petroleum economics, field development and reserves management.
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