- NUPRC Chief Executive discloses 2025 bid round attracted nearly 300 applicants competing for about 50 assets
Nigeria is advancing an ambitious emissions reduction strategy anchored on eliminating gas flaring by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, according to the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.
Speaking at the Nigerian Pavilion of the Offshore Technology Conference 2026 in Houston, Texas, Eyesan outlined a reform-driven transformation of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with climate targets and indigenous participation at its core.
She disclosed that gas flaring in Nigeria has already declined to below 10 per cent, signaling measurable progress toward the country’s zero-flare ambition. Rather than relying solely on penalties, the Commission is implementing a commercialisation model, where flare sites are concessioned to private operators capable of converting associated gas into productive use.
This approach, she noted, is expected to unlock up to 3 gigawatts of electricity generation capacity, turning waste into a strategic energy resource.
Eyesan emphasised that Nigeria’s transition strategy is pragmatic rather than abrupt, integrating cleaner technologies into existing hydrocarbon operations. She revealed that some offshore facilities are already deploying solar-powered systems, while carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects are under active consideration.
The regulatory environment, she added, has been strengthened by the Petroleum Industry Act, which has improved transparency, investor confidence, and operational efficiency. However, she stressed the need for continuous policy adjustments to maintain global competitiveness.
“We constantly evaluate our position and adapt to attract and retain investment,” she said, noting that regulatory engagement will prioritise collaboration over confrontation.
Nigeria’s energy transition is also being supported by downstream reforms. The removal of fuel subsidies has accelerated the shift toward alternative fuels, particularly compressed natural gas (CNG), with expansion expected as domestic gas infrastructure improves.
Eyesan further highlighted strong investor appetite in Nigeria’s upstream sector, revealing that the 2025 bid round attracted nearly 300 applicants competing for about 50 assets, underscoring renewed confidence in the country’s energy market.
Positioning Nigeria as a continental leader, she stated that the country is well placed to drive Africa’s energy future by expanding access, reducing energy poverty, and supporting industrialisation.
