The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and its Chief Executive Officer, Gbenga Komolafe, have been nominated for the coveted award as Africa Energy Sector Regulator of the Year at the upcoming Africa Energies Summit.The awards are in recognition of the Commission as a leading force in Africa’s energy sector.
The Summit, now in its 29th edition, is scheduled for May 15 in London, and would bring together top industry players, policymakers and innovators shaping Africa’s energy future.
The organisers said the NUPRC, nominated under the Rhino Award category, underscores its significant strides in transforming Nigeria’s upstream petroleum landscape through innovation, transparency and effective regulation.
Also, the Commission’s Chief Executive, is a strong contender in the Elephant Award category to confer honours on distinguished individual for their contributions to the growth of Africa’s energy sector.
“With these recognitions, the Commission has again put Nigeria on the global stage,” the Commission said in a statement in Abuja.
“Engr. Komolafe, who has led NUPRC since its establishment in 2021, has received multiple accolades for his leadership, including the ThisDay/Arise Group CEO of the Year Award and the Sun Public Service Award, recognising his strategic reforms and commitment to Nigeria’s energy development.
“As Nigeria continues to advance its energy sector through regulatory excellence, innovation and strategic reforms, NUPRC’s nomination highlights its pivotal role in shaping Africa’s energy future. The Summit’s awards will serve as a platform to honor these trailblazers and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a continental energy leader,” the Commission added.
The Summit’s Marketing Manager, Rachel Creegan, also announced the unveiling of the Big Five Top 50 Leaders, a peer-nominated list celebrating visionaries and institutions driving Africa’s energy evolution. Creegan said the awards are aimed at recognising excellence across corporate, regulatory, individual and community spheres, emphasising the sector’s role in economic growth and energy security across the continent.
The NUPRC listed its achievements in 2025 to include record-high oil reserves of 37.24 billion barrels and gas reserves of 210.5 Trillion cubic feet (TCF), with a projected reserve life of 64 years for oil and 93 years for gas.
The Commission said it also revitalised investor confidence and launched initiatives to increase Nigeria’s oil production by one million barrels per day, positioning Nigeria as a key player in Africa’s energy landscape.
The Summit’s awards ceremony is expected to feature distinguished guests, including Gayle Meikle, CEO of Frontier, and Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commissioner of Namibia, serving as Guest of Honour.
Organisers say the event promises a celebration of leadership, innovation and progress, uniting African and global stakeholders.
The nominees for the Rhino Award (Africa’s NOC/Regulator of the Year) include: Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC); Société Nationale d’Opérations Pétrolières de la Côte d’Ivoire (PETROCI); Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis (ANPG); Agência Nacional de Petróleo de São Tomé e Príncipe (ANP-STP) and SMH (Mauritania) & PETROSEN (Senegal) – Greater Tortue Ahmeyim FirstOil
The other nominees for the Elephant Award are: Alcides Andrade, Executive Board Member, ANPG; John Ardill, Vice President, ExxonMobil; Nantenaina Rasolonirina, Acting General Manager, OMNIS; and Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director, Petroleum Authority of Uganda.
Other award categories are the Lion Award for distinguished corporate contribution, the Leopard Award for Africa’s Independent Player of the Year; the Buffalo Award for Africa’s Service and Supply Company of the Year; Africa’s Legend Award, Celebrating Lifetime Achievement and Legacy; Leading Women in African Energy, recognising Pioneering Leadership; African Energy Financier of the Year for Powering Growth and Innovation; Local Impact Award for driving positive change in African communities; and Emerging Leaders in African Energy, which is the Rising Star Award.