Stakeholders in the Nigerian oil and gas industry must work together in navigating the energy transition towards a cleaner, more resilient, and prosperous future for the country, the Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, has said.
Komolafe spoke at the Decarbonisation and Energy Sustainability Forum (DESF) in Abuja on Tuesday where a comprehensive blueprint for decarbonisation and new guidelines for participation in upstream oil and gas decarbonisation and carbon management was unveiled.
Also, the event featured a strategic presentation on Regulatory Framework for Energy Transition and Carbon Management in Nigerians Upstream: Implementation Architecture and Roadmap; international panel session on international best practices in Upstream Decarbonisation and Energy Sustainability; Industry CEO’s Roundtable; the unveiling of the Upstream Oil and Gas Decarbonisation and Sustainability Blueprint, and two plenary sessions on Technology, Carbon Markets and Financing.
In his presentation on “Navigating the Global Energy Transition by Leveraging Decarbonisation in Nigeria’s Upstream Oil and Gas for Sustainable Value Creation,” Komolafe reminded industry leaders that the choices they make today would shape Nigeria’s economic future.
“Today, we choose to progress, we choose responsibility, and above all, we choose a future where Nigeria leads in sustainable energy transformation,” he said.
The forum, he pointed out, was more than just a meeting, adding that it was a declaration of intent and a call to action for sustainable value creation.
The post-Paris Agreement era, he maintained, has intensified global efforts to combat climate change, prompting many countries to adopt ambitious carbon neutrality targets.
He said although the shift has accelerated the transition to a low-carbon energy system, it has also resulted in decreased investments in oil and gas, as financial institutions align themselves with climate goals.
Underlining the importance of a “just transition” that takes into account the economic realities of different regions, Komolafe highlighted key developments, including commitments made at COP28 and COP29, where leaders pledged to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Also, he emphasized the need for equitable climate action that focuses on social equity, inclusivity, and sustainability.
He drew attention to global energy security concerns, like the declaration of a national energy emergency for 2025 by the U.S. government, highlighting the critical connection between energy security, economic stability, and resilience.
The declaration, he noted, underscores the importance of reliable and diverse energy supplies, with the U.S., noting that oil and gas would continue to play a significant role in ensuring affordability and reliability during the transition.
These perspectives, he noted, aligned with Nigeria’s strategy of utilizing natural gas as a transitional fuel, enabling 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 stated, adding that Nigeria’s journey toward decarbonisation was supported by transformative initiatives to reshape the country’s energy landscape.
He said the National Gas Policy (NGP) of 2017, the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) of 2021, and the Decade of Gas Initiative (2021-2030) collectively outline the country’s ambitious approach to harness its extensive gas reserves, positioning natural gas as a key transition fuel.
The establishment of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code (NGTNC) and the Gas Master Plan, he pointed out, has created a structured framework for developing a competitive, transparent, and investor-friendly gas market, adding that despite existing infrastructure gaps and investment constraints, these policies and programmes have laid the foundation for Nigeria’s transition to natural gas and sustainable development.
Besides, he said 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, were aimed at removing barriers, drive industrialisation, and establish Nigeria as a global energy leader.
He underscored NUPRC’s central role in these efforts towards sustainability and decarbonisation of its operations, adding that the Commission established a dedicated Energy Sustainability and Carbon Management department to promote emissions reduction and environmental responsibility.
Guided by seven strategic pillars, namely zero routine flaring, methane abatement, and technological innovation, Komolafe said the NUPRC was seeking to attract investment, enhance energy security, and encourage responsible energy use.
These initiatives, he said, were aimed at leveraging Nigeria’s vast gas reserves, accelerating exploration, expanding domestic energy access, and aligning with global energy transition goals.
The journey ahead, he emphasized, demands vision, collaboration, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence, adding that the country’s success would 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.
