By Julius Peter ,Abuja
The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has urged staff of the Commission to demonstrate greater commitment to service excellence, professionalism, accountability and integrity by going the extra mile in the discharge of their duties.
Eyesan gave the charge at a conference organised by the Commission to commemorate Customer Service Week 2026, with the theme, “Going the Extra Mile.”
The NUPRC chief executive, who was represented at the event by the Director of Host Community, Mrs. Ejioro Ufondu, described the theme as timely and instructive, stressing that effective customer service requires more than merely fulfilling official responsibilities.
According to her, going the extra mile entails improving the quality of service, responding promptly to stakeholders’ needs, taking responsibility for assigned duties and ensuring that every interaction with the Commission delivers meaningful value.
She noted that the Commission’s regulatory responsibilities should be approached as a form of service to the public and the wider oil and gas industry, rather than simply as the enforcement of rules and regulations.
“Going the extra mile is not simply about doing more; it is about doing better, responding faster, taking ownership, and making a meaningful difference in the experience of those we serve. We take regulating the industry as a service,” she said.
Eyesan urged staff to use the occasion of Customer Service Week to renew their commitment to the Commission’s core values, including service excellence, professionalism, responsiveness, ownership and integrity.
She emphasised that these values must be reflected in the daily activities of employees, particularly in their interactions with stakeholders seeking regulatory guidance, approvals, information and other services from the Commission.
The NUPRC boss explained that the Commission serves a broad range of stakeholders, including oil and gas operators, host communities, government institutions, service providers, the Nigerian public and participants in the global upstream petroleum industry.
Given the diversity of these stakeholders, she said, the Commission must maintain a service-oriented approach that promotes efficiency, transparency, accountability and mutual confidence in its regulatory processes.
Eyesan further stressed that the responsibilities of the Commission extend beyond processing applications and granting approvals, noting that its operations also involve creating an enabling regulatory environment that supports investment and sustainable development in the upstream petroleum sector.
According to her, a transparent, predictable and efficient regulatory framework is essential to building stakeholder confidence, encouraging sustainable investment and strengthening the overall performance of Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry.
She therefore encouraged employees to take ownership of their responsibilities, address stakeholders’ concerns promptly and identify practical ways of improving service delivery across the Commission.
The emphasis on responsive service delivery also highlights the importance of effective communication between the regulator and industry stakeholders, particularly in an environment where timely regulatory decisions and clear guidance can influence business planning, operational efficiency and investment decisions.
For host communities, operators and other stakeholders, improved service delivery can also strengthen engagement with the Commission and promote a better understanding of regulatory requirements and procedures.
The Customer Service Week conference therefore provided an opportunity for the Commission to reflect on its service culture and reinforce the need for continuous improvement in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities.
In her goodwill message, the Head of Administration and Acting National Coordinator of the Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM), Mrs. Helen Lawal, commended the NUPRC for prioritising customer satisfaction and promoting improved service delivery.
Lawal urged the Commission to sustain its commitment to meeting stakeholders’ expectations and continually improve the quality of its services in line with the SERVICOM Charter.
She emphasised the importance of maintaining service standards that promote responsiveness, efficiency and accountability in public institutions.
Her remarks reinforced the need for government agencies to place citizens and other service users at the centre of their operations by ensuring that services are delivered professionally and in accordance with established standards.
The SERVICOM initiative promotes improved service delivery across public institutions, with an emphasis on ensuring that Nigerians receive efficient, transparent and accountable services from government agencies.
For the NUPRC, continued adherence to these principles is particularly important given its regulatory role in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry and its interactions with a wide range of public and private sector stakeholders.
The Commission’s ability to respond effectively to stakeholders’ needs is an important aspect of building confidence in its regulatory processes and promoting a more efficient operating environment.
The conference was attended by the Head of SERVICOM at the NUPRC, Mrs. Muinat Bello; SERVICOM officers within the Commission; representatives of the leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN); directors; and other staff members of the Commission.
Their participation underscored the importance of collective responsibility in promoting a customer-focused institutional culture.
The event also served as an opportunity to encourage staff across different departments to embrace the principles of service excellence and ensure that the Commission’s core values are reflected in their daily interactions with stakeholders.
As the NUPRC continues to discharge its regulatory responsibilities in the upstream petroleum sector, the call for staff to go the extra mile reinforces the importance of combining effective regulation with responsive and professional service delivery.
The Commission’s leadership maintained that improved service delivery should remain a shared responsibility, requiring every employee to demonstrate professionalism, take ownership of assigned duties and contribute to a regulatory environment that is transparent, efficient and supportive of sustainable investment.
The commemoration of Customer Service Week 2026 thus reaffirmed the importance of putting service at the heart of regulation, with the ultimate goal of strengthening stakeholder confidence and supporting the sustainable development of Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry.
