By Julius Peter,Abuja
The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has intensified Nigeria’s efforts to attract fresh investments into the country’s oil and gas industry through high-level engagements with major international energy companies and industry stakeholders at the ongoing Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) 2026.
Eyesan held a series of strategic business meetings on the second day of the conference, engaging key industry executives, including Luca Vignati, Upstream Director of Eni S.p.A., and Jason Liu, Chief Executive Officer of Wood Mackenzie, alongside members of his team.
The engagements formed part of the Commission’s broader strategy to strengthen investor confidence, promote Nigeria’s upstream petroleum opportunities and position the country as a competitive destination for global energy investments.
During the discussions, the NUPRC chief executive highlighted the importance of sustained engagement with international oil companies, industry analysts and other critical stakeholders in advancing Nigeria’s petroleum sector and unlocking new investment opportunities.
Her meeting with Eni’s Upstream Director, Vignati, provided an opportunity to strengthen discussions around Nigeria’s upstream investment prospects, while the engagement with Wood Mackenzie executives focused on interactions with a major global energy research and consultancy organisation.
The meetings underscored the Commission’s determination to deepen collaboration with international industry players and communicate the opportunities emerging from ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
In another significant engagement, Eyesan held discussions with her counterpart at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mallam Rabiu Umar, to strengthen coordination between the two petroleum regulatory institutions.
The meeting focused on aligning regulatory activities and ensuring greater cooperation between the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of Nigeria’s petroleum industry in the overall interest of the country.
Effective coordination between the two regulatory agencies remains important to improving operational efficiency, addressing industry challenges and creating a more integrated petroleum sector capable of attracting investments across the value chain.
Earlier, Eyesan featured in an interview with Bloomberg Television, where she discussed Nigeria’s 2026 oil and gas licensing round, the drill-or-drop provision and the country’s improving investment climate.
She used the international media platform to communicate the opportunities available to investors in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry, while highlighting the regulatory measures being pursued to create a more predictable and attractive business environment.
The 2026 licensing round is expected to provide opportunities for investors to participate in the development of Nigeria’s petroleum resources, while the drill-or-drop provision is intended to encourage timely exploration and development activities in awarded assets.
The provision also reinforces the need for investors to translate awarded petroleum opportunities into concrete exploration and production activities rather than leave valuable assets undeveloped.
The Commission’s emphasis on regulatory stability and predictability is particularly significant as Nigeria seeks to attract the capital, technology and technical expertise required to expand oil and gas production, develop new fields and maximise the value of its hydrocarbon resources.
Eyesan’s engagements at ADIPEC 2026 reflect the Federal Government’s broader efforts to reposition Nigeria as a preferred destination for petroleum investments through reforms, improved regulatory administration and stronger international partnerships.
The NUPRC has consistently maintained that a stable regulatory environment, transparent processes and clear investment rules are essential to attracting both local and foreign capital into the upstream sector.
The Commission’s message to the international energy community remains that Nigeria is open for business and ready to provide investors with the stability, regulatory certainty and predictability required to protect their investments and support long-term business operations.
As the conference progresses, the NUPRC’s participation is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s visibility in the global energy market, deepen engagement with potential investors and reinforce the country’s commitment to unlocking the full potential of its oil and gas industry.
The engagements also demonstrate the Commission’s determination to translate Nigeria’s ongoing petroleum sector reforms into tangible investment opportunities, increased exploration activities and sustainable growth for the nation’s economy.
