By Obiabin Onukwugha
Nigeria’s energy transition is not about abandoning oil and gas, but about producing hydrocarbons more efficiently, reducing their environmental impact and maximising economic value, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said.
The Commission Chief Executive, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, stated this at Gastech 2026 held in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 14 to 17.
Outlining Nigeria’s approach to balancing energy transition, energy security and investment, Eyesan said the country’s strategy is to ensure hydrocarbons continue to support the economy while lowering emissions and extracting greater value from every barrel of crude oil and molecule of gas produced.
She listed NUPRC’s regulatory priorities to include improving production reliability, supporting domestic refining through effective coordination of the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO), promoting gas monetisation and strengthening national energy security.
These priorities, she said, are being pursued alongside stronger emissions management, noting that economic development and environmental responsibility must be treated as complementary, not conflicting, objectives.
Eyesan cited the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) as a practical example of this dual approach, where flare sites have been allocated to companies to convert otherwise flared gas into commercial products and energy.
“This produces more gas for energy while preventing the same from causing environmental damage,” she said.
According to her, the success of Nigeria’s energy transition should be measured by tangible outcomes, not policy declarations — including improved energy security and affordability, increased investment, job creation, industrial growth, lower emissions and reduction in methane releases.
The NUPRC’s position comes amid growing global pressure for Nigeria to cut emissions while still heavily dependent on oil and gas revenues to drive its economy.
