The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has stated that the Commission is working to unlock the many stranded gas fields in the industry to expand the country’s gas reserves.
Mrs Eyesan stated this on Monday at the Pre-Conference Opening at the 2026 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) holding in Abuja, with the theme: “Energy for Peace and Prosperity: Securing Our Shared Future.”
She noted that despite holding about 210 TCF of proven gas reserves, many gas fields remain stranded or undeveloped in the country with an estimated over 600 TCF in upside potential yet to be fully unlocked.
Eyesan, who was represented at the event by the Directorof Economic Relations and Strategic Planning, Mr. Edu Iyang, said a universal gas market posture with aligned fiscal trend could have accelerated Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) and secure better pricing for the country.
She submitted that for years, “we saw gas in one country, demands in another, an industry in a third, with no connecting pipelines or harmonized tariffs,” adding that projects like Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP), and the revamped Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline are now addressing this.
Eyesan said that when countries harmonize policies and regulations, Africa could leverage its own financing institutions, such as African Energy Bank and African Bank, to de-risk projects, accelerate industrialization, expand electricity, and unlock jobs and revenue.
“At the same time, partners like the World Bank andother developing finance institutions can invest more efficiently on regional priorities. Integrated energy markets, cross-border infrastructure, and consistent regulatory regimes reduce risk, improve bankability, attract private capital, and enable development partners to confidently support transformative projects that drive shared long-term prosperity,” she added.
The NUPRC boss stated that Nigeria has taken deliberate steps to spearhead regulatory alignment and gas-driven development in this long-awaited new era of African energy integration. Noting that through the Petroleum Industry Act, the nation has strengthened governance, transparency,and emphasized confidence, laying the foundation that cross-borders projects remind.
“Under the official direction of His Excellency,President Paula Hamilton of GCFI, we are deliberately creating a physically attractive, cost-competitive, and business-friendly environment to unlock Nigerian fast gas reserve, to power homes, industry, and regional growth, positioning gas as a Riga transition fuel,” she added.
She informed the gathering that Nigeria is currently conducting block licensing rounds with full transparency, giving investors aclear path to Nigerian fast and promising hydrocarbon basins while supportingsustainable long-term growth.
“Our mission is clear. To expand reserves,optimize production, and responsibly increase output, ensuring that Nigerianenergy development drives economic prosperity, safeguards the environment, andsets the benchmark for the continent’s energy future,” she declared.
Speaking earlier on regulatorydiplomacy, the Chairman Energy Institute, and Chairman Aradel Holdings Plc, Mr. Austin Olorunshola, noted that as enabling as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)has been since 2021, implementation excellence, which everyone is yearning for,is yet to be delivered. But noted that efforts are on top gears to achieve that feat.
He called for more collaboration among industry stakeholders, especially the NUPRC and the Nigerian Midstream and DownstreamPetroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA) for the effective implementation of the act, and growth of the industry.
