The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says the federal government has approved 37 new crude oil evacuation routes as part of efforts to tackle oil theft and boost production.
Speaking at the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week in Abuja, Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive officer of the commission, said protecting oil assets remains a top priority.
He said the 37 newly approved evacuation routes, combined with close coordination with security agencies, are helping reduce theft and improve transparency in the sector.
“Meanwhile, our drive on domestic crude supply obligation is guaranteeing feedstock for local refineries, strengthening domestic supply chains and economic resilience,” Komolafe said.
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“On the social front, our HostComply platform has brought transparency, real and measurable benefits to oil-producing communities, fostering peace and social license to operate.
“At the same time, our full-scale digitisation efforts are transforming regulatory oversight, delivering speed, efficiency and clarity to investors.”
Komolafe added that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria has been undergoing a historic transformation of its energy sector, attracting over $16 billion in investment commitments in just two years.
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He said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 laid the groundwork for the reforms, while the 2024 Executive Orders, with 40 on fiscal incentives, 41 on local content, and 42 on cost efficiency and contract timelines, have accelerated the inflow of investments.
The NUPRC CEO said bold reforms and strong policy direction have repositioned the oil and gas sector for greater energy security, sustainability, and economic resilience.
He also noted that meeting global oil and gas demand, which currently supplies over 50 percent of global energy needs and is expected to continue until 2050, would require annual upstream investments of $640 billion through 2030, totalling over $4 trillion.
“Failure to meet this demand will threaten global stability. Let it be said: the global demand remains strong. Nigeria and Africa cannot afford to ignore this,” he said.
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NIGERIA INCREASING CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION BY REVIVING DORMANT FIELDS
Komolafe said the commission is scaling up production through the One Million Barrels Initiative by reviving dormant fields, fast-tracking regulatory approvals, and improving upstream efficiency.
The CEO said the initiative, launched in 2024, aims to increase output from 1.46 million barrels per day (bpd) to 2.5 million bpd by 2026.
“With 1.7 million bpd already achieved, the strategy is yielding results,” he said.
Komolafe added that the commission is working to integrate climate responsibility into its operations, helping Nigeria achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2060, while oil and gas remain central to the economy.
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