Magnus Abe resumes as NUPRC Board Chairman, pledges improved leadership (See resumption picture inside)
By Emmanuella Anokam
Abuja, April 28, 2026
The newly inaugurated Board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has resumed with a pledge to boost the capacity of the NUPRC in meeting its statutory mandate.
Sen. Magnus Abe, Chairman, NUPRC Board made the pledge while speaking at the NUPRC’s headquarters shortly after its inauguration by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume.
Abe, in a statement by Eniola Akinkuotu, Head, Media and Corporate Communications, NUPRC
assured the management that they would strategically work together to uplift the Commission and to foster economic development.
He said that the purpose of the Board was to provide better leadership and oversight.
He also promised to ensure a more befitting NUPRC office to maximise staff productivity.
“I believe that of all the priorities we should have, getting a proper office accommodation should take priority over everything else,” he said.
The Commission’s Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, congratulated the new Board members, adding that the Commission depends on them for direction in line with the Petroleum Industry Act.
Eyesan described the inauguration as coming at a most auspicious moment, especially amid the current spike in oil and gas prices occasioned by the Middle East crisis.
“Today, the oil and gas industry is seeing volatility because of the war in the Middle East and the transition and its impact on the industry.
“Nigeria must position itself to respond appropriately to both the energy transition imperative and the disruptions in the Middle East.
“I believe the Commission is positioned for the shocks or eventuality that may arise,” she said.
The NUPRC chief executive also restated the commitment of the Commission’s management team to reforming the industry.
Members of the Board inaugurated include: Sen. Magnus Abe (Chairman), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan (Commission Chief Executive), Mr. Sunday Babalola (non-executive commissioner), Mr. Paul Jezhi (Non-executive Commissioner), Bashari Indabawa (Executive Commissioner) and Muhammed Lamido (Executive Commissioner).
Others are Mrs Patience Oyekunle (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources), Mr Mustapha Lamorde (Executive Director, HSEC, NMDPRA) and Mr Dalhat Kamal (Director, Ministry of Finance), while Ms Olayemi Adeboyejo serves as Commission Secretary/Legal Adviser.
