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NUPRC: Investors not swayed by slogans but respond to clarity, fairness’ – CEPAI

The signing of Production Sharing Contracts, PSCs, for two offshore oil blocks between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, and the TotalEnergies–Sapetro consortium has been described by stakeholders as a clear sign of renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream sector. Under the supervision of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, the process, which
NUPRC: Investors not swayed by slogans but respond to clarity, fairness’ – CEPAI

The signing of Production Sharing Contracts, PSCs, for two offshore oil blocks between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, and the TotalEnergies–Sapetro consortium has been described by stakeholders as a clear sign of renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream sector.

Under the supervision of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, the process, which began in December 2024 with a competitive bid round, involved blocks spanning about 2,000 square kilometres in the prolific Niger Delta Basin.

The process involving Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) 2000 and 2001, was finalised in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking on the development, the Executive Director of the Centre for Energy, Policy and Investment, CEPAI, Dr Chika Patrick, said the decision of long-established operators such as TotalEnergies and Sapetro to commit fresh capital into deep water exploration was a vote of confidence in the reforms championed by NUPRC Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe.

“Investors are not swayed by slogans; they respond to clarity, predictability, and fairness. The presence of companies with decades of operations in Nigeria stepping forward to take on new frontier assets reflects the trust they now place in the regulatory and governance environment crafted by NUPRC under Komolafe’s stewardship,” Dr Patrick explained.

He added that the PSC framework under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) had repositioned Nigeria’s oil sector by embedding obligations on royalties, profit oil sharing, host community development, environmental safeguards, and decommissioning plans.

Dr Patrick said the commission under the leadership of Gbenga Komolafe had brought renewed vigour and credibility to Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector, particularly by strengthening transparency, competitiveness, and fiscal discipline.

“The successful conclusion of the Production Sharing Contracts for PPLs 2000 and 2001 underscores the profound changes that have taken root in Nigeria’s oil industry under the NUPRC. What we are witnessing is the fruit of deliberate reforms that prioritise transparency, investor confidence, and national interest,” Dr Patrick said.

He further noted that the commission’s role goes beyond supervising transactions, stressing that its oversight of licensing terms, cost recovery structures, host community obligations, and environmental safeguards positions Nigeria as a competitive and responsible player in the global energy landscape.

“What this means for Nigeria is more than just oil. It translates to improved reserves, stronger energy security, new jobs, and deeper local content.

“The framework ensures value to the federation through signature bonuses, royalties, production milestones, and profit oil sharing, while also placing firm obligations on investors to develop host communities, comply with environmental remediation standards, and plan responsibly for decommissioning. These are the hallmarks of a regulator that is not only forward-looking but also uncompromising in protecting national interest,” he said.

Dr Patrick also recalled the growing recognition Komolafe has attracted internationally and within Nigeria for his reformist leadership, citing the Servicom Distinguished Trailblazer Award, the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Award for Driving Energy Policy Reforms, and the prestigious recognition bestowed at the 2025 Africa Energies Summit in London.

“These awards are not ceremonial; they are testimonies of impact. They validate the transformational journey Nigeria’s upstream sector has embarked upon. Under Komolafe, NUPRC has become not just an industry regulator, but a symbol of how bold reforms and strong institutions can rewrite the story of an entire sector,” Dr Patrick noted.

He added that the benefits of the new PSCs extend beyond the oil companies, as the contracts would create space for the growth of indigenous service firms, encourage technology transfer, and accelerate the country’s decarbonisation commitments.

NUPRC: Investors not swayed by slogans but respond to clarity, fairness’ – CEPAI

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Governor Sule raises alarm over poor voter registration turnout in Nasarawa

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has expressed deep concern over the low level of participation by residents in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, made the remarks on Wednesday in Lafia during the official flag-off of the
Governor Sule raises alarm over poor voter registration turnout in Nasarawa

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has expressed deep concern over the low level of participation by residents in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, made the remarks on Wednesday in Lafia during the official flag-off of the All Progressives Congress, APC, grassroots sensitisation and voter education campaign.

The event also marked the second anniversary of the state APC Chairman, Aliyu Bello, and Secretary, Yairus Dagusa, in office.

Governor Sule noted that available data shows Nasarawa is lagging behind other states in the voter registration process, stressing that this trend poses a threat to the state’s political influence in future elections.

“If you look at the figures recently published, Nasarawa State is among the lowest in terms of participation in the ongoing CVR.

“This is a call for us to return to our constituencies, wards and polling units to mobilise our people to register. Without voter registration, they cannot exercise their rights in the 2027 general elections,” he said.

While congratulating the APC leadership for their two years of service, Sule commended the efforts of both past and present party executives for steering the party to victories and urged them to continue working in unity.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, applauded the initiative, warning that the state’s rapidly growing population does not reflect in the number of registered voters.

“Our population is rising, but our number of registered voters is embarrassingly low.

“I urge every resident to take this exercise seriously, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, and be ready to vote in 2027.

“As lawmakers, we will continue to enact laws that protect the rights of our people while supporting the executive in delivering good governance,” Jatau said.

In his address, APC Chairman Aliyu Bello reaffirmed the party’s loyalty to Governor Sule, revealing that the state’s party executives had unanimously agreed to back any candidate he endorses for the 2027 governorship race, regardless of senatorial district.

“As loyal party members, we are ready to stand behind whoever His Excellency chooses as the APC flag bearer in 2027. Our focus is unity and victory for the party,” Bello declared.

The event drew a large gathering of APC stakeholders, including federal and state lawmakers, commissioners, local government chairmen, and grassroots leaders from across all 13 LGAs of the state.

INEC had earlier commenced the in-person phase of the CVR on August 25, 2025, following a week of online pre-registration, which ended on August 30.

Governor Sule raises alarm over poor voter registration turnout in Nasarawa

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Tinubu not using anti-corruption agencies to witch-hunt opposition – Nigerian govt

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the Tinubu administration has not weaponized anti-corruption agencies against the political opposition. Speaking at the opening of the ICPC Roundtable Engagement on Agenda Setting for Strategic Integration of State Commissioners of Information in the Fight Against Corruption, held in Abuja on Wednesday, Idris said
Tinubu not using anti-corruption agencies to witch-hunt opposition – Nigerian govt

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the Tinubu administration has not weaponized anti-corruption agencies against the political opposition.

Speaking at the opening of the ICPC Roundtable Engagement on Agenda Setting for Strategic Integration of State Commissioners of Information in the Fight Against Corruption, held in Abuja on Wednesday, Idris said the Administration maintains the policy of non-interference in the work of anti-graft institutions.

“Fighting corruption is indeed one of the 8-Point priorities of the Tinubu administration, and that is why the President is strengthening the institutional framework to fight corruption, especially through the ICPC and the EFCC. By its policy of non-interference, the Tinubu administration has made it clear that anti-corruption agencies are not instruments of political witch-hunt. They operate with independence and professionalism in line with the rule of law,” he said.

However, the Minister buttressed the President’s position that there will be no safe haven for corruption in Nigeria.

Idris said the President is implementing far-reaching judicial reforms aimed at curbing unnecessary delays in corruption trials, ensuring that justice is neither denied nor endlessly deferred.

He noted that the theme of the roundtable – “Partnership for Strengthening Transparency and Accountability at State and Local Government Levels Through Strategic Communications,” amply justifies the presence of all State Commissioners of Information, who have the onerous task of distilling and cascading information to other strata of the Nigerian society.”

He said transparency and accountability constitute strong pillars of democracy and are, unarguably, at the core of President Tinubu’s grundnorm of administration.

Idris urged state governments to set aside political partisanship and embrace the vast opportunities inherent in President Tinubu’s agenda, which is reshaping the economy to address years of neglect.

“I wish to implore you all, Honourable Commissioners, that irrespective of the political party you belong to, it is important you identify with the massive opportunities inherent in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, who is relentless in reshaping our economy to address years of neglect, and its limitations, and in turn achieve inclusion, diversification, growth and steady development,” he said.

The Minister commended the ICPC, under the chairmanship of Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, for its creative approach to development communication, which engages key stakeholders in the states and local government councils who are expected to communicate government policies to the grassroots.

Tinubu not using anti-corruption agencies to witch-hunt opposition – Nigerian govt

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Rivers: Nigeria operating as if there’s no constitution – Former Akwa-Ibom Gov, Attah

Former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Victor Attah, has described the emergency rule in Rivers State as an affront, stressing that Nigeria is operating as if there is no constitution in the land. The ex-governor made this statement on Wednesday, while responding to questions in an interview on Arise Television. “The situation in Nigeria is dire.
Rivers: Nigeria operating as if there’s no constitution – Former Akwa-Ibom Gov, Attah

Former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Victor Attah, has described the emergency rule in Rivers State as an affront, stressing that Nigeria is operating as if there is no constitution in the land.
The ex-governor made this statement on Wednesday, while responding to questions in an interview on Arise Television.

“The situation in Nigeria is dire. By all indications, the devil has arrived in the country.

“The one cure we desperately need is to acknowledge that we have strayed from the vision we once agreed upon for Nigeria.

“We had envisioned Nigeria as a federation, complete with all the essential components of federalism.

“Instead, we have dismantled those components and replaced them with something entirely different,” he said.

Rivers: Nigeria operating as if there’s no constitution – Former Akwa-Ibom Gov, Attah