Nigeria’s oil and gas regulators have moved to tighten coordination as the country prepares for a new licensing cycle, with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) agreeing on deeper collaboration to improve regulatory efficiency and strengthen investor confidence.
The renewed partnership was formalised during a meeting at NUPRC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, where both agencies committed to structured cooperation to resolve regulatory overlaps and accelerate decision-making across the petroleum value chain.
Pre-Bid Conference Set for Lagos on January 14, 2026
As part of the renewed engagement, the Commission Chief Executive of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, announced that the pre-bid conference for Nigeria’s ongoing oil and gas licensing round will hold on January 14, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites.
The conference will precede the competitive bidding process for 50 oil and gas blocks, a central plank of Nigeria’s strategy to boost reserves, crowd in private capital, and sustain long-term production growth. Eyesan formally invited the Authority Chief Executive of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, to participate, signalling a unified regulatory front to potential investors.
Regulators Align to Reduce Friction Across the Value Chain
At the Abuja meeting, both agencies agreed to nominate dedicated representatives to jointly address regulatory issues that cut across upstream, midstream, and downstream activities. They also resolved to institutionalise quarterly coordination meetings, aimed at resolving bottlenecks early and ensuring consistent interpretation of regulations.
Eyesan stressed that regulatory synergy is no longer optional in a sector where asset boundaries increasingly overlap.
“Whether we are talking about upstream, midstream or downstream, we are enablers for the industry. The oil and gas sector remains the heartbeat of the nation’s economy, and it cannot grow if regulators are not working together,” she said.
She added that blurred operational lines between segments make close collaboration essential, particularly as Nigeria pushes gas development, integrated projects, and infrastructure-linked investments.
Signal to Investors Amid Regulatory Reforms
The renewed partnership comes at a time when Nigeria is actively repositioning its petroleum sector under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), with regulators under pressure to demonstrate predictability, speed, and coherence.
For investors tracking Nigeria’s 2026 oil and gas bid round, the joint posture of NUPRC and NMDPRA is intended to reduce perceived regulatory risk—an issue that has historically weighed on upstream deal flow and midstream project financing.
The alignment also reinforces Nigeria’s message that reforms are extending beyond legislation into day-to-day regulatory practice, a key concern for international oil companies, independents, and financial institutions evaluating entry or expansion.
Shared Roots, Renewed Mandate
Responding, Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed noted that both agencies emerged from the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), describing them as “brother and sister agencies” whose disagreements should be resolved internally.
“We must improve this relationship. Any differences should be settled amicably, because ultimately we serve the same national interest,” he said.
Context: New Leadership, New Tone
The collaboration also reflects a broader shift under relatively new leadership at both regulators, as Nigeria seeks to balance tighter oversight with a more investment-friendly posture. Market participants see the coordinated approach as particularly important ahead of the licensing round, where clarity on approvals, interfaces, and timelines can materially affect bid appetite and valuations.
With the January 14 pre-bid conference now fixed, attention will turn to how effectively the regulators translate cooperation into faster approvals, clearer guidance, and smoother execution. If sustained, the NUPRC–NMDPRA alignment could become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s effort to compete for global energy capital in a market increasingly selective about regulatory risk.
