WIEN Hails Tinubu’s Appointment of Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as NUPRC Chief Executive

The Women in Energy Network (WIEN) has welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), describing it as a landmark moment for inclusive leadership in Nigeria’s energy sector.

In a statement reacting to the appointment, WIEN noted that Eyesan’s elevation to the helm of the country’s upstream petroleum regulator is both historic and deeply symbolic, as she becomes the first woman to occupy the position since the commission was established. The organisation said the decision reflects a growing recognition of women’s capacity to lead at the highest levels of the energy industry.

WIEN President, Mrs Eyono Fatayi-Williams, described the appointment as inspiring and aligned with the network’s long-standing advocacy for gender balance and expanded leadership opportunities for women across the energy value chain. According to her, the move sends a strong message about the importance of competence, diversity, and forward-looking leadership in building a resilient energy sector.

She emphasized that Eyesan’s professional background and track record make her well suited for the role. With more than three decades of experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, Eyesan brings a depth of institutional knowledge and strategic expertise shaped by years of service at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its subsidiaries.

An Economics graduate of the University of Benin, Eyesan retired from NNPC Limited in November 2024 after serving as Executive Vice President, Upstream, where she oversaw Nigeria’s upstream petroleum operations. Over the course of her career, she has held several key leadership positions, including Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer and Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy.

In these roles, she played a pivotal part in shaping NNPC Limited’s sustainability framework, strengthening financial discipline, improving cost efficiency, and guiding mergers and acquisitions policy. She also coordinated long-term corporate strategy, capital allocation, and budgeting processes, while engaging closely with government institutions on national development plans and capital budgets.

One of her most notable achievements was leading the commercial dispute resolution of the Escravos Gas-to-Liquid (EGTL) project, a process that addressed longstanding cost issues and unlocked multi-million-dollar revenues for both NNPC and the Nigerian state.

Mrs Fatayi-Williams noted that Eyesan’s appointment reflects the federal government’s commitment to stronger governance, inclusive leadership, and a more diverse executive pipeline. She added that selecting a technocrat of Eyesan’s calibre demonstrates a clear resolve to build a modern, transparent, and efficient regulatory framework for the upstream petroleum industry.

She expressed confidence that Eyesan’s experience would support the government’s reform agenda in the sector, particularly in advancing transparency, operational efficiency, and regulatory excellence. WIEN, she said, remains committed to supporting women in energy leadership and advocating for greater representation across the industry.

Also commenting on the appointment, WIEN’s Executive Secretary, Engr Asanimo Omezi, described the development as a significant step forward for gender inclusion and future-ready leadership in Nigeria’s energy sector.

According to her, Eyesan’s emergence as NUPRC Chief Executive underscores a deliberate effort to build a more diverse and inclusive leadership structure. She added that the organisation is proud of what the appointment represents for women across the energy industry and reaffirmed WIEN’s commitment to ensuring women have the support, visibility, and opportunities needed to rise.