Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan has assumed office as chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, pledging to advance the sector under the Petroleum Industry Act.

She spoke during her first town hall meeting with management and staff at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Ms Eyesan said the NUPRC would operate as a business enabler to reignite investor confidence and attract fresh investments into Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.

She also set a firm production target, aiming to grow crude oil output and achieve a significant increase in gas production.

“The goal is that we must enable the industry. We are regulators, but our duty is to support the industry through effective stakeholder engagement,” she said.

Ms Eyesan said her main objective was to ensure the Commission made a measurable difference within the industry.

“I believe the NUPRC is at the centre of the industry and must play its role decisively,” she added.

The new NUPRC chief executive, with over three decades of industry experience, promised to entrench digitisation, transparency, and operational efficiency.

She said that, with staff cooperation, the commission would become the gold standard upstream regulator in Africa.

Ms Eyesan also pledged capacity development, greater technical depth, and sustained engagement with stakeholders, unions, and professional bodies.

Regarding leadership style, she promised an open-door policy and regular interaction with staff at all levels.

“If we work together, we can unleash opportunities. I see no impediments, only opportunities,” she said.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Ms Eyesan following the resignation of Gbenga Komolafe on December 17.

(NAN)