The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority have stepped up efforts to improve regulatory efficiency and attract investment into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, marking a renewed phase of collaboration between the two bodies.

In a statement signed by the Head of Media and Strategic Communication at NUPRC, Eniola Akinkuotu, the agencies said the partnership was formalised at a meeting held on Thursday at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

Both regulators agreed at the meeting to deepen cooperation by appointing representatives tasked with identifying and resolving regulatory bottlenecks across the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors.

The partnership is designed to boost investor confidence, simplify regulatory processes, and stimulate growth across the oil and gas sector.

The partnership is designed to boost investor confidence, simplify regulatory processes, and stimulate growth across the oil and gas sector.

The statement partly read, “The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority have taken significant steps toward enhancing regulatory efficiency and encouraging investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”

To formalize the collaboration, NUPRC and NMDPRA agreed to hold quarterly meetings aimed at enhancing communication, addressing challenges promptly, and harmonizing regulatory approaches across the oil and gas value chain.

Speaking at the meeting, NUPRC Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, emphasised the importance of synergy between the two agencies.

She said, “Whether we are talking about the upstream, midstream or downstream, we are enablers for the industry, and without a doubt, we know that the industry is the heartbeat of the nation’s economy. So, we are committed to ensuring that things work properly and the industry grows astronomically.

“We cannot do that if we do not work together because, as we all know, sometimes there is no fine line between upstream, midstream and downstream. And if we are not working together, then that becomes a problem. So, I believe that this will be the beginning of many more interactions.”

She described the meeting as a demonstration of renewed commitment, noting that both agencies are “joining forces to ensure the industry thrives.”

She also extended an invitation to the NMDPRA Chief Executive to attend the pre-bid conference for the ongoing licensing round in Lagos on January 14, 2026, which features 50 oil and gas blocks and is expected to attract significant domestic and foreign investment.

Responding, NMDPRA Chief Executive Saidu Mohammed reflected on the shared origins of the two agencies as offshoots of the former Department of Petroleum Resources.

He emphasized the need for a cooperative approach, stating, “We must improve this relationship between brother and sister agencies.”

The partnership highlights both agencies’ renewed commitment to enhancing regulatory efficiency, strengthening investor confidence, and promoting long-term growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with promises of significant benefits for the nation’s economy in the years ahead.