Nigerians in diaspora laud Tinubu, NUPRC's Komolafe for oil & gas sector reforms

President Bola Tinubu and Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, have received massive praise for their transformative leadership and commitment to transparency in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Groups gave the commendation in a statement issued by its Global President, David Matthew Akpambu, on Monday, April 21, 2025.

Akpambu lauded the 2024 Oil Block Licensing Round, conducted in full compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and NUPRC Guidelines.

He noted that the groundbreaking process marked a major milestone in the nation’s quest to rid the sector of corruption and mismanagement, as he described the transparent, digital nature of the bidding process as a significant stride.

“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, the oil and gas sector witnessed a fully digital and point-based commercial bid evaluation, ensuring a competitive and fair allocation of assets. This digital approach, underpinned by encryption and decryption technology, provided an unprecedented level of security and integrity, ensuring that data remained confidential and free from human interference,” the statement partly reads.

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“This reform is a testament to the leadership of President Tinubu and the proactive vision of Gbenga Komolafe. The 2024 Licensing Round was transparent, competitive, and a clear departure from previous practices that have often been tainted with allegations of corruption.”

Groups score Tinubu, Komolafe high

The Nigerians in the diaspora also applauded the stringent prequalification process, which required applicants to demonstrate not only financial strength but also technical expertise.

“The rigorous criteria were designed to ensure that only qualified entities could proceed to the subsequent stages, ultimately safeguarding Nigeria’s oil and gas assets from mismanagement,” the statement added.

“The commercial bid phase, which took place in full public view, was another highlight of the process. The transparent evaluation system, which was broadcast live, involved representatives from key agencies such as the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the Federal Ministry of Finance, ensuring the process was open and accountable. With outcomes determined instantaneously, the digital process eliminated any possibility of human interference or manipulation.”

They also stressed the importance of involvement from well-established industry players, noting that this model ensured even newly incorporated entities could compete fairly, provided reputable stakeholders with proven operational experience, and supported them in doing so.

Akpambu reiterated the groups' support for Tinubu and Komolafe's leadership, recognising the significant steps taken towards a transparent and efficient oil and gas sector.

They stressed that they had been monitoring Komolafe’s activities since his appointment, and found him consistent in delivering on the promises he made to the country.

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“During his Senate screening, Mr. Komolafe made a commitment to the nation: to establish a 21st-century regulator and position NUPRC as the leading upstream regulatory body on the African continent,” they declared.

“Today, that vision is not just alive—it has been achieved. Nigeria now ranks as having the best upstream regulator in Africa in terms of best practices, a feat acknowledged by stakeholders at several international energy summits.”

They called on other government agencies to adopt similar reforms in other critical sectors to further drive Nigeria’s economic growth and attract foreign investments.