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To achieve the national production target of 2.5 million BOPD by 2027, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said it has facilitated renewed activity across mature assets.
Speaking on Thursday, October 9, 2025, in Lagos at the Annual Conference of the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC), the Commission Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, said these interventions are projected to deliver incremental volumes exceeding one million barrels of oil per day, a key milestone toward achieving the national production target of 2.5 million BOPD by 2027.
He noted that the NUPRC and other stakeholders are working to address the challenges hindering oil production.
Speaking on the topic “Nigeria’s Energy Future and the Role of NUPRC in Driving Upstream Oil and Gas Industry’s Rebound”, Komolafe who was represented by a Director at NUPRC, Paul Osu, maintained that there is need to protect the nation’s energy infrastructure and uphold the principles of transparency, accountability and efficiency that define its regulatory mandate.
He said, “As we look to the future, our priorities remain to sustain Nigeria’s upstream rebound, achieve 2.5 million BOPD by 2027, strengthen gas.
“Through these efforts, the commission is not only driving the rebound of the oil and gas industry but also shaping Nigeria’s long term energy future.”
According to him, a sustainable rebound also demands secure infrastructure and credible measurement systems.
To this end, he said the Commission has collaborated with security agencies, private contractors and community stakeholders in implementing the Upstream Measurement Regulation and the Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation.
He stated that the result is a remarkable 90 per cent reduction in crude oil theft from over 102,000 barrels per day in 2021 to 9,600 barrels per day as of September 2025.
Speaking further Komolafe also said that the Commission through the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) has successfully inaugurated over 90 Trusts across the Niger Delta, ensuring that development funds flow directly to communities.
He said, “This model not only secures local ownership, but also guarantees peace, stability and continuity in production, key pillars for sustained energy security.
According to him, “The rebound we are witnessing in Nigeria’s upstream sector is not by chance.
“It is the outcome of deliberate regulatory design, anchored on transparency, efficiency and inclusiveness. The Commission’s strategic vision aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic goals and global sustainability commitments.
“At the same time, we are advancing Nigeria’s gas agenda as part of the ‘Decade of Gas’ and the nation’s energy transition pathway,” he said.
Komolafe also noted that Natural gas remains our most reliable transition fuel, a catalyst for industrialisation, power generation and clean energy substitution.
He maintained that by promoting gas monetisation, flare elimination and gas-based investments, the Commission is reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to a just and balanced energy transition.
On the global stage, he said the context reinforces this direction, adding that the IEA projects that upstream investment will surpass $580 billion in 2025, making a steady recovery from pandemic lows.
He urged NAEC members and the wider press community, to continue ensuring that their reports are factual, verified and development oriented.
Komolafe noted that responsible reporting strengthens investor confidence and preserves national reputation, adding that misinformation on the other hand, can distort progress and discourage investments.
