The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, has called for deliberate efforts to ensure Nigeria’s growing offshore oil and gas investments translate into jobs, technology and stronger domestic industrial capacity.
Commission’s Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, made the call on Tuesday at the Lagos International Maritime Week 2026 and the 11th International Maritime Business-to-Business Conference and Exhibition, themed, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence in Africa.”
Represented by the Executive Commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Captain John Tonlagha, Eyesan said offshore development must extend beyond oil production to create a globally competitive ecosystem of maritime services, infrastructure, technology and skills.
A statement by NUPRC Head of Corporate Communications and Media, Eniola Akinkuotu, quoted Eyesan as saying investments must be linked to domestic capabilities, competitive suppliers, skills development, infrastructure and measurable performance.
“The pathway before us is clear.
Policy to practice must mean moving from petroleum acreage to investment; from investment to offshore projects; from projects to production; from production to maritime enterprise; and from maritime enterprise to Nigerian jobs, technology, industrial capability and sustainable economic prosperity,” she said.
Eyesan urged increased investment in ports, ship-repair facilities, fabrication yards, logistics bases, storage systems, waste-management facilities and coastal transport infrastructure.
She also called for greater participation by Nigerian companies in vessel ownership and operations, marine logistics, subsea engineering, fabrication, equipment maintenance, inspection and certification, environmental services and marine surveying.
On environmental protection, Eyesan said offshore development must be carried out responsibly.
“The blue economy cannot be sustainable if the marine environment is treated as an afterthought,” she said.
She noted that the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 provides a framework for offshore development, including the responsible decommissioning and abandonment of petroleum facilities.
Eyesan said Nigeria’s success should ultimately be measured by increased offshore investment and production, improved energy security, greater Nigerian participation in the maritime value chain, stronger environmental protection and the emergence of the country as a competitive offshore energy and maritime-services hub for Africa.
