A university don and energy governance scholar, Prof. Josiah Danladi, has commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a “bold and transformative recalibration” of Nigeria’s oil and gas upstream sector.
Speaking at the Citizens Connect Conference in Lagos, Prof. Danladi said the President’s leadership has revived public confidence in the sector through reforms anchored on transparency, accountability, and data-driven governance.
“For decades, the oil and gas sector symbolised both our promise and our pain. We have heard stories of corruption, inefficiency, and missed opportunities. Yet today, there is a new story unfolding — a story of reform, renewal, and restoration,” he said.
“Under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, and through the diligent leadership of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) led by Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the sector has been reborn on the firm foundation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). What Nigerians are witnessing today is not luck; it is leadership — structured, deliberate, and data-driven.”
Prof. Danladi noted that the reforms are beginning to yield tangible results across the value chain.
According to him, “in just two years, NUPRC has demonstrated what happens when political will meets professional excellence. The Commission has generated over ₦12.25 trillion in revenue for the federation within this short span — an unprecedented achievement reflecting the efficiency of new monitoring systems and enforcement mechanisms.”
The university don highlighted the far-reaching impact of fuel subsidy removal, which he said has freed up resources now being channelled into developmental priorities.
“The policy has led to 200 per cent increase in allocations to states and local governments, road projects, hospital projects, power sector development, student loan scheme and increment in NYSC allowances,” he said.
Expanding on the broader economic benefits, Prof. Danladi added that Nigeria is witnessing a gradual transition from being a net importer to a potential net exporter of refined petroleum products.
“Dormant oil blocks are returning to productivity, production reporting is now electronic, and field development plans are strictly monitored for compliance. The era of discretionary approvals and rent-seeking is fading away, replaced by process, predictability, and performance,” he said.
“Equally important is the focus on gas—the transition fuel for Nigeria’s economic future. Under the Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, investors are now turning environmental liability into economic opportunity. We are reducing waste, protecting our planet, and creating jobs.
“These are not abstract policy shifts. They are the building blocks of a more transparent and sustainable energy future—and they are happening under President Tinubu’s watch.”
According to Prof. Danladi, reforms in the oil and gas industry are only meaningful if they translate into better living conditions for citizens.
He said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has reshaped not only the governance framework but also the relationship between government, corporations, and host communities.
“The Petroleum Industry Act did not only restructure institutions; it redefined relationships—between government, industry, and the communities that bear the weight of extraction. Under Komolafe’s leadership, the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) have become the bridge between promise and delivery,” he said.
“More than ₦358 billion has so far been remitted to these trusts, funding over 500 community projects in education, healthcare, road construction, and youth empowerment across oil-producing regions. For the first time, host communities are not treated as afterthoughts—they are partners. The principle is simple: those who live with the consequences of resource extraction must share in its benefits.
“This is what President Tinubu envisioned when he speaks about Renewed Hope. Hope that is not poetic but practical; hope that builds hospitals, powers schools, and brings opportunity to communities long forgotten.”
Prof. Danladi said the renewed emphasis on transparency and accountability has restored investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil sector.
“Transparency has also become a defining feature of the new order. NUPRC’s electronic reporting platforms allow real-time production tracking and cargo declaration—cutting out leakages that once drained our national purse. The days of guessing how much crude Nigeria produces are gone. The data now speaks for itself,” he said.
“The Commission has also introduced robust systems for measuring flare gas, tracking royalty payments, and enforcing environmental standards. This is governance at work—silent, methodical, transformative.
“International rating agencies and investors now describe Nigeria’s oil regulatory framework as more predictable and investor-friendly than at any time in the past decade. The reforms have positioned our country as an emerging energy investment hub on the continent.”
Prof. Danladi stressed that the gains of the past two years must be protected through continuity and focus.
“These achievements did not emerge in a vacuum. They are the product of a reform-minded administration that prioritised competence over complacency. But every reform is a journey, not an event—and journeys can be interrupted,” he stressed.
“The truth is that what we have gained in the last two years can easily be lost if the focus shifts from reform to rhetoric. Nigeria cannot afford to go backwards. We must protect this momentum by ensuring that the same political will that birthed these achievements is renewed in 2027.”
He said Nigerians are increasingly satisfied with the performance of the NUPRC, describing it as one of the most effective and forward-looking regulatory institutions under the Tinubu administration.