Energy Scholar, Prof. Josiah Danladi, Applauds Tinubu’s Reforms in Oil and Gas Upstream Sector …Says Nigerians Are Pleased with NUPRC’s Performance

By our Correspondent

A university don and energy governance scholar, Prof. Josiah Danladi, has commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a “bold and transformative recalibration” of Nigeria’s oil and gas upstream sector.

Speaking at the Citizens Connect Conference in Lagos, Prof. Danladi said the President’s leadership has revived public confidence in the sector through reforms anchored on transparency, accountability, and data-driven governance.

“For decades, the oil and gas sector symbolised both our promise and our pain. We’ve heard stories of corruption, inefficiency, and missed opportunities. Yet today, a new story is unfolding — one of reform, renewal, and restoration,” he said.

“Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, and through the diligent leadership of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) under Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the sector has been reborn on the firm foundation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). What Nigerians are witnessing today is not luck, but leadership — structured, deliberate, and data-driven.”

Prof. Danladi noted that the ongoing reforms are yielding tangible results across the value chain.

According to him, “in just two years, the NUPRC has demonstrated what happens when political will meets professional excellence. The Commission has generated over ₦12.25 trillion in revenue for the federation within this short period — an unprecedented achievement reflecting the efficiency of new monitoring systems and enforcement mechanisms.”

The scholar highlighted the wide-ranging benefits of fuel subsidy removal, which, he said, has freed up resources now being redirected to developmental priorities.

“The policy has led to a 200 per cent increase in allocations to states and local governments, road and hospital projects, power sector development, the student loan scheme, and an increment in NYSC allowances,” he said.

Expanding on the economic impacts, Prof. Danladi observed that Nigeria is gradually transitioning from a net importer to a potential exporter of refined petroleum products.

“Dormant oil blocks are returning to productivity, production reporting is now electronic, and field development plans are strictly monitored for compliance. The era of discretionary approvals and rent-seeking is giving way to process, predictability, and performance,” he noted.

He also praised the administration’s focus on gas as a transitional fuel for Nigeria’s economic future.

“Under the Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, investors are turning environmental liabilities into economic opportunities. We are reducing waste, protecting our planet, and creating jobs,” he said.

“These are not abstract policy shifts. They are the building blocks of a more transparent and sustainable energy future—and they are happening under President Tinubu’s watch.”

Prof. Danladi stressed that reforms in the oil and gas industry are meaningful only if they improve citizens’ living conditions.

He noted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has reshaped not only institutional structures but also the relationship between government, corporations, and host communities.

“The PIA didn’t just restructure institutions; it redefined relationships between government, industry, and host communities. Under Komolafe’s leadership, the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) have become the bridge between promise and delivery,” he said.

“More than ₦358 billion has so far been remitted to these trusts, funding over 500 community projects in education, healthcare, road construction, and youth empowerment across oil-producing regions. For the first time, host communities are not afterthoughts—they are partners. The principle is simple: those who live with the consequences of resource extraction must share in its benefits.

“This is what President Tinubu envisioned when he speaks of Renewed Hope — hope that is not poetic but practical; hope that builds hospitals, powers schools, and brings opportunity to forgotten communities.”

The scholar further stated that the renewed emphasis on transparency and accountability has restored investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil sector.

“Transparency has become a defining feature of the new order. NUPRC’s electronic reporting platforms enable real-time production tracking and cargo declarations, eliminating leakages that once drained the national purse. The days of guessing Nigeria’s crude output are gone—the data now speaks for itself,” he said.

“The Commission has also introduced robust systems for measuring flare gas, tracking royalty payments, and enforcing environmental standards. This is governance at work—silent, methodical, and transformative.

“International rating agencies and investors now regard Nigeria’s oil regulatory framework as more predictable and investor-friendly than at any time in the past decade. These reforms have positioned Nigeria as an emerging energy investment hub on the continent.”

Prof. Danladi emphasized that the gains of the past two years must be protected through continuity and sustained focus.

“These achievements didn’t emerge in a vacuum. They are the result of a reform-minded administration that prioritised competence over complacency. But every reform is a journey, not an event — and journeys can be interrupted,” he cautioned.

“The truth is, what we have gained in the last two years can easily be lost if focus shifts from reform to rhetoric. Nigeria cannot afford to go backward. We must safeguard this momentum by renewing the same political will that produced these achievements in 2027.”

He concluded that Nigerians are increasingly satisfied with the performance of the NUPRC, describing it as one of the most effective and forward-looking regulatory institutions under the Tinubu administration.