NUPRC boss advocates decarbonisation, energy sustainability

The Commission Chief Executive (CCE) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, has made a strong appeal to stakeholders in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, urging them to collaborate in navigating the energy transition.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering a keynote speech at the Decarbonisation and Energy Sustainability Forum (DESF), titled “Navigating the Global Energy Transition by Leveraging Decarbonisation in Nigeria’s Upstream Oil and Gas for Sustainable Value Creation,” the CCE emphasized the importance of establishing a pathway toward a cleaner, more resilient, and prosperous future for Nigeria. He stressed that the choices made today would shape the country’s economic future.

In a statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of NUPRC on Tuesday in Abuja, Komolafe described the forum as more than just a meeting, calling it a declaration of intent and a call to action for sustainable value creation.

“Today, we choose progress, we choose responsibility, and above all, we choose a future where Nigeria leads in sustainable energy transformation,” the CCE stated.

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He noted that the post-Paris Agreement era has intensified global efforts to combat climate change, prompting many countries to adopt ambitious carbon neutrality targets. This shift, he said, has accelerated the transition to a low-carbon energy system while also leading to decreased investments in oil and gas as financial institutions align themselves with climate goals.

Komolafe highlighted key developments, including commitments made at COP28 and COP29, where world leaders pledged to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030. He stressed the need for equitable climate action focused on social equity, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Addressing concerns about energy security, the CCE pointed out that the United States has declared a national energy emergency for 2025, underscoring the critical connection between energy security, economic stability, and resilience. He emphasized the importance of reliable and diverse energy supplies but added that oil and gas would continue to play a significant role in ensuring affordability and reliability during the transition.

According to him, these perspectives align with Nigeria’s strategy of utilizing natural gas as a transitional fuel, allowing African nations to balance their climate goals with economic growth and energy security.

“The stance of global leaders has opened doors for Nigeria and Africa to chart their own transition pathways that reconcile climate action with economic growth and energy security,” he added.

Komolafe explained that Nigeria’s journey toward decarbonisation is supported by transformative initiatives aimed at reshaping the country’s energy landscape, including the National Gas Policy (NGP) of 2017, the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) launched in 2021, and the Decade of Gas Initiative (2021–2030). These programs collectively outline an ambitious approach to harnessing Nigeria’s extensive gas reserves, positioning natural gas as a key transition fuel.

He noted that the establishment of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code (NGTNC) and the Gas Master Plan has created a structured framework for developing a competitive, transparent, and investor-friendly gas market.

The NUPRC boss added that the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative (Pi-CNG), Executive Order 40, and the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) signal a transformative phase in Nigeria’s gas sector. These reforms, he said, aim to remove barriers, drive industrialization, and establish Nigeria as a global energy leader.

“We recognize that the journey ahead demands vision, collaboration, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Our success will not be defined by intentions alone but by real, measurable progress in cutting emissions, turning waste into wealth, driving operational efficiency, and unlocking the full potential of carbon markets,” Komolafe stated.

“To strengthen Nigeria’s decarbonisation and sustainability agenda, we issued the Upstream Petroleum Decarbonisation Template (UPDT) earlier this year as a regulatory tool to guide the industry.”