The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Senator Ekperikpe Ekpo, has expressed support for the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), a continental platform aimed at harmonising oil and gas regulations and boosting investment in Africa’s energy sector, as the Forum Chairperson called for wider membership.
The endorsement came during a meeting between the minister and AFRIPERF Chairperson, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, according to a statement posted on its X handle by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Eyesan, who is also the Commission Chief Executive, of the NUPRC, said the Forum’s membership was expanding, with Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, The Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo already signed onto its charter, and several more countries in the process of joining.
“We’ve been working to sensitize other regulators within the continent and today we are happy that quite a number of countries have indicated interest,” Eyesan said.
Responding, the minister pointed to Nigeria’s recent success in securing the Secretary General position at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) as evidence of the country’s leading role in global gas diplomacy and a sign of Africa’s rising voice in international energy discussions.
He stressed the importance of Africa countries speaking with greater coherence in global energy transition talks and in shaping energy policies.
Ekpo affirmed his full support for AFRIPERF’s mandate and reiterated the government’s commitment to using Nigeria’s regulatory depth to advance the Forum’s goals.
