The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, has been selected as one of the key experts to speak at the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) taking place this November in Midrand, South Africa.
Komolafe’s invitation recognizes his dual role as head of the NUPRC and interim President of the Africa Forum for Petroleum Regulators and Frameworks (AFRIPERF). It also underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in upstream oil and gas reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The 14-day session — which began on Monday, November 3 — gathers lawmakers, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the continent to discuss governance priorities and sustainable development initiatives.
In a letter dated October 17, 2025, the PAP Bureau invited Komolafe to deliver a keynote paper titled “Legislative Frameworks for Sustainable Upstream Regulation in Africa’s Oil and Gas Sector.” According to the Bureau, the presentation will highlight how strong legislative structures can support sustainability in Africa’s energy industry, drawing from Komolafe’s leadership at NUPRC and AFRIPERF.
His address is expected to showcase Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as a model for transparent, community-focused, and investment-friendly energy governance. The PAP noted that lessons from Nigeria’s reforms will aid efforts to develop continent-wide model laws promoting accountability, environmental responsibility, and equitable revenue-sharing in extractive industries.
This marks only the second time in recent years that a Nigerian government official will address the PAP plenary — a forum typically reserved for African leaders driving major reform and development policies.
Since assuming office, Komolafe has overseen major transformations in Nigeria’s upstream sector, including digitalized licensing, strengthened environmental standards, and performance-driven regulation. These reforms have reportedly boosted investor confidence and improved production.
Nigeria’s crude oil output now stands at about 1.7 million barrels per day, while gas flaring has dropped to 7.16%, one of the lowest levels in nearly two decades. Host-community provisions under the PIA have also helped stabilize industry relations and create a more secure operating environment.
The PAP Bureau said Komolafe’s contribution would support ongoing efforts to align African energy policies with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals, particularly those focused on sustainable development, inclusive growth, and energy transition.
