The African Centre for Energy Governance and Accountability (ACEGA) has hailed the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating what it described as bold and well-coordinated reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory landscape.

In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Dr. Usman Bello Idris, the group lauded the Tinubu-led government for its commitment to the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), as well as its renewed efforts to boost crude oil production across the country.

According to ACEGA, these reforms have triggered a significant transformation in the sector, restoring investor confidence, reviving long-stalled production targets, and repositioning Nigeria as a more responsible and efficient oil-producing nation.

“For years, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector groaned under inefficiency, uncertainty, and dwindling output. But what we are seeing today under President Tinubu’s leadership is a bold reset — one that respects the sanctity of the Petroleum Industry Act while pushing for real, measurable growth,” Dr. Idris said.

The group noted that one of the most visible outcomes of the reforms is the steady rise in crude oil production. Since mid-2023, output has gradually increased, reaching over 1.7 million barrels per day in recent months — a marked recovery from 2022, when production levels slumped below 1.2 million barrels per day amid theft, sabotage, and failing infrastructure.

Dr. Idris attributed this improvement to deliberate government interventions, such as the revival of dormant assets, enhanced metering systems, and coordinated security around critical oil pipelines.

He remarked that the resurgence in production is not accidental but the result of strategic regulatory leadership backed by strong presidential support.

According to ACEGA, the Tinubu administration’s firm stance on implementing the long-awaited Petroleum Industry Act has been central to the sector’s turnaround. Though the Act was signed into law in 2021, it is under the current government that, the group argues, it has come into force as a practical tool for reform.

“We must commend President Tinubu for not sidelining the PIA or paying lip service to its provisions. Instead, he has supported a robust implementation strategy that is already yielding results in licensing, fiscal discipline, community development, and investor clarity,” Dr. Idris added.

The PIA, which took nearly two decades to pass into law, aims to overhaul oil and gas governance by establishing transparent fiscal frameworks, separating regulatory powers, and ensuring host communities benefit from petroleum revenues. Under Tinubu’s watch, ACEGA said the Act is being actively enforced — from establishing Host Communities Development Trusts to introducing new fiscal incentives and stricter environmental compliance guidelines.

The group also singled out the leadership of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), for his professionalism and drive towards transparency. ACEGA praised the commission’s role in lowering production costs, implementing real-time production monitoring, and instituting fair and transparent bidding processes for oil blocks.

“The president has given NUPRC room to work, and they are proving that competent leadership can deliver results. NUPRC’s moves to enforce better metering, clamp down on theft, and promote decarbonisation reflect a forward-thinking agenda aligned with global standards,” the statement read.

Despite acknowledging these gains, ACEGA urged the administration not to relent. It called for greater investment in energy infrastructure, quicker resolution of longstanding legal disputes, and a clearer roadmap for Nigeria’s energy transition in light of global decarbonisation goals.

“The work is not done yet. Nigeria still faces challenges in refining capacity, gas monetisation, and energy access for its people. But what this administration has shown is that with political will, the sector can be revived,” Dr. Idris said.

He called on stakeholders across the oil and gas value chain — including international oil companies, local operators, and host communities — to rally behind the government’s reform efforts and collaborate towards securing a sustainable and equitable energy future for Nigeria.