Petroleum Regulator Nominees Vow Sweeping Reforms to Attract Investments

President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for Nigeria’s key petroleum regulatory bodies pledged major reforms to stop value losses, enforce discipline, and draw new investments under the Petroleum Industry Act. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, nominated to lead the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and Saidu Mohammed, picked for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, outlined their plans during a Senate screening on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

Eyesan stressed the urgent need for digitisation and real-time data to replace outdated manual processes that cost the nation dearly. She told senators that without accurate, digital oversight, regulators cannot grasp the industry’s realities or prevent revenue leaks. A University of Benin economics graduate with nearly 33 years at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, she retired as Executive Vice President, Upstream.

Eyesan highlighted her track record in settling disputes with global partners, rebuilding trust during divestment risks, and securing multi-billion-dollar deep offshore deals. She also noted her part in Nigeria’s first non-associated gas development contract and boosting crude output from 1.3 million to 1.8 million barrels per day. Collaboration among stakeholders remains essential to fix upstream bottlenecks and make Nigeria competitive globally, she added.

Mohammed focused on restoring order through binding contracts and quality controls in gas and product supply chains. He described gas as a commodity, not a favour, and insisted enforceable agreements from producers to users would end shortages, especially for power plants. The chemical engineering graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, born in Gombe in 1957, has held top roles including Managing Director of Nigerian Gas Company and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company.

Mohammed warned against overlooking local refining, urging priority for domestic needs to secure energy. He promised to revive pipeline transport, lure billions into gas infrastructure, and build in-house labs for independent quality checks. Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) Chairman Sumaila Kawu called the timing critical for economic recovery through better energy output.

Further discussions with the nominees will extend into January for stronger ties between lawmakers and regulators. The Senate will soon review the committee’s report and vote on confirmation. These nominations follow the recent resignations of pioneer chiefs Gbenga Komolafe from the upstream body and Farouk Ahmed from the midstream and downstream authority, both appointed in 2021 after the Act’s enactment.

As Nigeria faces falling oil revenues and the global shift from fossil fuels, these pledges signal a push to revitalise the sector and bolster economic stability.