The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has unveiled a 60-day initiative to fully digitise the commission’s internal communications and operational workflows, aiming to boost transparency, efficiency, and regulatory speed.

Eyesan made this disclosure on Monday during a working visit by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Musa Sarkin Adar, to the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja on February 23, 2026.

According to a statement on Tuesday from by Head of Media and Strategic Communication at NUPRC, Eniola Akinkuotu, the initiative is designed to phase out paper-based processes and reinforce accountability in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.

She said, “We have set for ourselves a 60-day programme to digitise our interactions and communications within the Commission. I can assure you that once we get to day 60, there will be no paper trail within the Commission.

“All our transmissions will be electronic, which also means speed is assured. It means we will be able to trace where we have hiccups.”

Eyesan noted that the commission has already achieved notable improvements from earlier automation efforts, especially in royalty collection and monitoring.

She said, “I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that for royalty payments, the default rate was enormous prior to 2025 when the Commission went live on the system. Now, compliance has improved.”

She stated that full digitisation would further boost regulatory oversight, increase efficiency, and promote transparency in the oil and gas sector. She also emphasized the need to deepen collaboration with NEITI, particularly as Nigeria positions itself for new licensing rounds and investment opportunities.

In his address, Adar called on the commission to deepen its partnership with NEITI through enhanced data sharing and closer institutional coordination, noting that this would promote transparency, boost investor confidence, and ensure full compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act.

Adar said, “There is a need for the Commission to carry NEITI along in its operations. This will not only enhance transparency but also deepen investor confidence. We also expect the regulator to be firm with operators that run afoul of the law.”

He also urged the commission to take an active role in the 2026 global conference of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to gain insights into emerging transparency standards and best practices.

The NUPRC, responsible for regulating upstream activities, has deployed various digital and monitoring tools to reduce revenue leakages, enhance compliance, and attract investment.

Enhanced collaboration between NUPRC and NEITI is seen as key to boosting investor confidence, ensuring accurate reporting, and strengthening governance in Africa’s largest oil producer as Nigeria aims to expand production and maximise revenue from its natural resources.