Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has been invited to address the sixth ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in Midrand, South Africa.
PAP is the legislative body of the African Union (AU).
The 14-day session, which began on November 3, brings together legislators, policymakers, and experts from across Africa to deliberate on governance priorities and sustainable development frameworks.
Komolafe’s invitation was extended in recognition of his role as NUPRC chief executive officer (CEO) and interim president of the Africa Forum for Petroleum Regulators and Frameworks (AFRIPERF).
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In a letter dated October 17, the Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament invited him to present a paper titled, “Legislative Frameworks for Sustainable Upstream Regulation in Africa’s Oil and Gas Sector”.
“This topic explores how robust legislative reforms can advance sustainability in Africa’s upstream oil and gas operations, inviting insights from your leadership at NUPRC and as acting chairman of AFRIPERF,” the bureau said.
The parliament said Komolafe’s presentation will draw from Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which integrates transparency, community participation, and investor-friendly policies — a framework increasingly viewed as a continental model.
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It noted that lessons from Nigeria’s petroleum reforms could help shape model laws for member states, enhancing accountability, environmental protection, and equitable resource management.
This is the second time in recent years that a Nigerian public official has been invited to address the PAP plenary — a platform reserved for reformers shaping Africa’s governance and development agenda.
According to PAP, Komolafe’s paper will also align with discussions on the African Union’s Agenda 2063, focusing on inclusive growth, sustainability, and energy transition.
The reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector began with President Bola Tinubu’s announcement in May 2023, that petrol subsidy has been removed.
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In August 2025, Komolafe said presidential executive orders under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has shortened contract cycles, reduced investment risks, and encouraged upstream projects.
