The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority have taken significant steps towards strengthening regulatory efficiency and attracting fresh investments into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The development followed a high-level meeting held at the corporate headquarters of the NUPRC in Abuja, which was attended by the Commission Chief Executive, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and her counterpart at the NMDPRA, the Authority Chief Executive, Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed.

At the meeting, both regulatory bodies resolved to deepen collaboration by nominating designated representatives from each organisation to jointly address and resolve regulatory concerns, with the aim of promoting the overall interests of the oil and gas industry and ensuring a seamless regulatory framework across the value chain.

The two agencies also agreed to institute regular quarterly engagements to strengthen their working relationship and proactively tackle challenges that may arise during regulatory processes and procedures.

Speaking at the meeting, the NUPRC Chief Executive underscored the importance of cooperation between the two regulators, describing it as critical to the growth of the oil and gas sector, which she noted remains central to Nigeria’s economy.

“Whether we are talking about the upstream, midstream or the 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 stated.

Mrs Eyesan described the engagement as a reflection of a renewed commitment by both institutions to jointly drive the growth of the oil and gas industry, noting that they are deliberately putting forces together to achieve this objective.

She also sought the support of the NMDPRA in the ongoing oil and gas licensing round and formally invited the Authority Chief Executive to attend the pre-bid conference scheduled to hold at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos on January 14, 2026.

The current licensing round, which is offering 50 oil and gas blocks, is projected to attract significant investment inflows and contribute meaningfully to boosting Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves.

In his remarks, the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, highlighted the shared institutional history of both agencies, noting that they emerged from the former Department of Petroleum Resources and should therefore operate in harmony.

He said, “We must improve this relationship between brother and sister agencies,” adding that any differences should be addressed internally and resolved amicably.

The renewed partnership between the NUPRC and the NMDPRA signals a deliberate effort to enhance regulatory coordination, improve investor confidence and drive sustainable investments across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with long-term benefits for the national economy.