By Obiabin Onukwugha
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Senator Ekperikpe Ekpo, has expressed support for the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), a unified continental platform designed to harmonize oil and gas regulations and boost investment in Africa’s energy sector.
Ekpo made the call during a meeting with the Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, on Tuesday.
The minister acknowledged Nigeria’s leading role in global gas diplomacy, pointing to the country’s recent success in securing the Secretary General position at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), as a symbol of Africa’s rising voice in international energy conversations.
He also underscored the importance of Africa speaking with greater coherence in global energy transition discussions and shaping policies.
The minister expressed full support for AFRIPERF’s mandate and affirmed the government’s commitment to using Nigeria’s regulatory depth to advance the Forum’s goals.
Speaking, Eyesan, who is the Chairperson for AFRIPERF, sought for an expanded membership of the Forum. She said asides Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, The Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo are among the countries that have signed onto the charter, with several more in the process of doing so, she said.
“We’ve been working to sensitize other regulators within the continent and today we are happy that quite a number of countries have indicated interest” Eyesan said.
