The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has provided further clarification for the ongoing licensing round, especially for bidders interested in the 50 oil and gas blocks on offer.

According to the Commission's Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, only applicants with strong technical and financial credentials will proceed to the critical stage of the bidding process.

Eyesan said this at the 2025 licensing round pre-bid webinar on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

She said, “The process follows five steps: registration and pre-qualification, data acquisition, technical bid submission, evaluation, and a commercial bid conference.

“Only candidates with strong technical and financial credentials, professionalism, and credible plans move forward. Winners are chosen through a transparent, merit-based procedure.”

The NUPRC boss noted that with the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signature bonuses for the 2025 licensing round are now set within a value range that reduces entry barriers and places greater weight on what truly matters: technical capability, credible work programs, financial strength, and the ability to deliver production within the shortest possible time.

“This has been done to increase competitiveness and in response to capital mobility,” the CCE stated.

Eyesan described the licensing round as an open call for committed partners; those ready to invest capital, bring technical excellence, and accelerate Nigeria’s assets from license award to exploration, appraisal, and ultimately, full production.

The NUPRC boss restated the Commission’s commitment to a transparent licensing round, insisting that Nigeria is “ready to be the beautiful bride to capital and playroom for advanced technological deployment for hydrocarbon recovery.”

She added, “In this licensing round, 50 oil and gas blocks across Nigeria are available, allowing investors to access the country's key basins and create long-term value.”

Eyesan further assured the public that the bid process will comply with the Petroleum Industry Act, promote the use of digital tools for smooth data access and remain open to public and institutional scrutiny through the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and other oversight agencies.

“Let me emphasize that the Nigeria 2025 Licensing Round is not merely a bidding exercise. It is a clear signal of a re-imagined upstream sector, anchored in the rule of law, driven by data, aligned with global investment realities, and focused on long-term value creation,” the NUPRC boss said.

During the webinar, subject matter experts from the NUPRC explained the guidelines, model contracts, bid parameters, and evaluation criteria in order to help investors navigate uncertainty and operate within a framework that is transparent, predictable, and deliberately designed to inspire confidence.

Eniola Akinkuotu

Head, Media and Strategic Communication

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

Engineers Farouk Ahmed, Gbenga Komolafe resign, President Tinubu nominates successors to the Senate for approval

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the nominations of two new chief executives for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The requests followed the resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed of the NMDPRA and Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC. Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Buhari to lead the two regulatory agencies created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

To fill these positions, President Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of NMDPRA.

The two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry.

Eyesan, a graduate of Economics from the University of Benin, spent nearly 33 years with the NNPC and its subsidiaries. She retired as Executive Vice President, Upstream (2023–2024), and previously served as Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy at NNPC from 2019 to 2023.

Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, born in 1957 in Gombe, graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 with a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering. He was announced today as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.

His prior roles include Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Nigerian Gas Company, as well as Chair of the boards of West African Gas Pipeline Company, Nigeria LNG subsidiaries, and NNPC Retail.

He also served as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Gas & Power Directorate, where he provided strategic leadership for major gas projects and policy frameworks, including the Gas Masterplan, Gas Network Code, and contributions to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Engineer Mohammed played a pivotal role in delivering key projects such as the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information and Strategy)

December 17, 2025

OCHANYA, the child, and the ordeal she endured at the hands of her auntie’s husband and son is one of the most frightening memories of how gravely abuse can hide within the walls society most trusts. For emphasis, rhythm, and clarity, each sentence will stand alone. Discussions on human rights, child protection, and the quiet suffering that takes place behind closed doors are still influenced by the ORDEAL OF OCHANYA.

THE ORIGIN OF OCHANYA'S ORDEAL

The ORDEAL OF OCHANYA did not begin as a headline.
It began quietly, the way many abuses against children begin’ unnoticed, unspoken, and wrapped in the illusion of guardianship.
Ochanya was entrusted to relatives believed to be caregivers.
Instead, she encountered betrayal from those meant to protect her.
This pattern is tragically common in many communities where children are sent to live with extended family for schooling, safety, or economic support.
Yet the arrangement often creates power imbalances that predators exploit.
In Ochanya’s case, the adults around her wielded authority, age, and proximity tools that made her voiceless and vulnerable. The ORDEAL did not stem from a single moment. It grew gradually, escalating as her abusers became comfortable with impunity, bolstered by societal silence. Her story is not an isolated incident. It is a mirror reflecting how cultural expectations can blind communities to the suffering of children hidden in plain sight.

SOCIETAL SILENCE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

The ORDEAL OF OCHANYA unfolded in a society where silence often outweighs justice. 

WHY CHILDREN RARELY SPEAK UP

Mary thought her life was finally improving three days after having twins.
Daniel, her husband, cried when holding their newborns in the hospital.
However, those hands become weapons within 72 hours.
A simple quarrel over dinner developed into shouting, and shouting got physical.
Daniel slapped her so hard that she dropped to the floor, fainting.
The twins were still in their cot when neighbors rushed in after hearing the disturbance.
This story is not fiction, it reflects a wide range of realities that occur on a daily basis around the world.
And it raises a critical question: How can we increase domestic violence prevention so that stories like Mary's never happen again?

Understanding the Reality of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence prevention begins with an acknowledgement that it can happen to anyone.
It is not limited by wealth, education, religion, or culture.
According to the World Health Organization, one-third of all women worldwide have suffered physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner.
Men can also become victims, but women face greater risks and severe repercussions.
Domestic violence is more than simply physical assault; it also encompasses mental abuse, financial control, and isolation.
Daniel's attack on Mary was stunning because it occurred immediately following the alleged "happiest" time of their lives.
However, abuse frequently intensifies during times of stress, such as childbirth, unemployment, or financial difficulty.
That is why domestic violence prevention must address both early warning indications and long-term societal changes.

Warning Signs That Often Go Ignored

One of the most important elements in domestic violence prevention is learning to spot warning signs before abuse becomes physical.
Daniel had a history of controlling conduct, which included monitoring Mary's phone conversations, interrogating her every move, and criticizing her parenting before she became a mother.
Friends saw that he frequently belittled her in public, disguised as "jokes."
He distanced her from family members, claiming that "they don't like me."
These behaviors raise red flags.
When neglected, they can escalate into the kind of violence that almost killed Mary.
Domestic violence prevention necessitates teaching potential victims and communities on how to respond when these early warning indicators emerge.

The Role of Society in Domestic Violence Prevention

Communities play an important role in stopping the cycle of abuse.
In Mary's situation, a neighbor's prompt response saved her.
Domestic violence prevention is a community obligation, not only the victim’s.
Society may support survivors by providing shelters, funding helplines, and counseling programs.

 • Promoting bystander intervention training

 • Raising awareness in schools, workplaces, and places of worship.
When neighbors, friends, and coworkers understand how to respond, lives can be saved.
Silence shields perpetrators.
Speaking up is a kind of prevention.

Why Some Victims Stay and How Prevention Can Change That

People frequently ask: "Why didn't she just leave?"
Mary did not leave since she had recently given birth, did not have her own income, and felt emotionally trapped.
Abusers frequently lead victims to believe they have nowhere to go.
Domestic abuse prevention must include tangible escape routes such as safe housing, financial aid, legal support, and mental health care.
Victims are more likely to seek help before the abuse intensifies if they know it exists and is easily available.

Education: The Foundation of Domestic Violence Prevention

Education is the foundation for long-term domestic violence prevention.
This entails educating not only women, but also men, teenagers, and children about healthy relationships.
Relationship education in schools can help students recognize manipulation, coercion, and control before they become normalized.
Human resources departments in the workplace can train employees to spot indicators of domestic violence and give confidential support.
Faith leaders, community elders, and influencers can use their platforms to publicly discuss domestic abuse rather than dismissing it out of discomfort.
Breaking the stigma through education fosters an environment in which prevention is second nature.

The Legal Side of Domestic Violence Prevention

Strong laws are crucial for preventing abuse before it worsens.
Domestic abuse laws exist in many nations, although they are rarely enforced.
Restraining orders are disobeyed.
Police may regard "domestic disputes" as personal concerns rather than criminal offenses.
Mary's case resulted in Daniel being arrested’ but only because her neighbor persisted on filing a police report.
If society is serious about reducing domestic violence, legal systems must handle abuse with the same urgency as any other violent crime.
This includes swift reaction times, victim-protection programs, and harsh penalties for perpetrators.

Real-Life Prevention Strategies That Work

Here are some practical efforts communities and individuals may do to reduce domestic violence:
1. Establish awareness networks using local radio, social media, and community activities to teach against abuse.
2. Early Intervention Programs provide treatment for couples who show early indicators of abuse.
3. Safe Words & Codes, Victims can quietly signal for aid in public places or over the phone.
4. Financial Empowerment: Assist potential victims in achieving financial independence, making it easier to escape abusive circumstances.
5. Establish Men's Accountability Groups to teach men about respect, anger management, and nonviolence and manipulative relationship.
Each of these strategies, when used consistently, has the potential to save lives.

 Breaking the Cycle for Future Generations

Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to become victims or offenders as adults.
Mary's twins were too little to grasp what happened, but research shows that even infants can be influenced by stress and trauma in a violent environment.
Domestic violence prevention must involve child assistance such as therapy, safe places, and positive role models.
Addressing the needs of young witnesses prevents the cycle from repeating itself in the following generation.

The Role of Men in Domestic Violence Prevention

Men must play a prominent role in domestic violence prevention efforts.
While numerous initiatives aim to protect women, true change occurs when men hold other men accountable.
Daniel may have been prevented if a friend or family member had questioned his domineering conduct early on.
Men can use ordinary discussions to combat toxic masculinity, impact societal norms, and encourage respect for women.
Making violence socially unacceptable among men transforms prevention into a cultural norm rather than a legal afterthought.

How Technology Can Help

Technology provides new resources for preventing domestic violence.
Victims can now utilize mobile apps to surreptitiously contact emergency agencies, record evidence, and identify safe houses.
Online therapy platforms offer emotional support to people who are scared to seek in-person psychotherapy.
Social media initiatives raised awareness faster than ever before.
However, because abusers utilize technology to follow their victims, preventative strategies must include digital safety education.

Healing and Moving Forward After Abuse

Domestic violence prevention does not stop once the abuser is removed.
Victims like Mary require ongoing support to recover physically and emotionally.
Counseling, support groups, and skill-building programs can all help survivors regain their confidence and independence.
When survivors feel empowered, they become champions, sharing their story to protect others from suffering the same fate.

Final Thoughts

Mary's story could have ended far worse.
Her survival was due to timely community intervention and availability to rapid assistance.
However, thousands more victims per year are not so fortunate.
Domestic violence prevention is more than just responding to abuse; it is also about preventing it from happening in the first place.
We can make every home safe via education, community engagement, strong law enforcement, and cultural change.
Nobody should fear the person they love.

FAQs

What exactly does it mean to prevent domestic violence?
Domestic violence prevention entails tactics and activities to halt abuse before it begins.
It consists of education, legal safeguards, community awareness, and support systems for at-risk individuals.

Why is domestic violence prevention so important?
It saves lives, protects families, and prevents the cycle of abuse from perpetuating into future generations.
Without prevention, abuse frequently leads to serious harm or death.

What role can the community play in preventing domestic violence?

Communities may set up safe shelters, sponsor helplines, launch awareness programs, and train bystanders to intervene responsibly.
A collaborative community reaction discourages abusers and helps victims.

How can individuals assist to avoid domestic violence?

Individuals can study the warning signs, offer support to victims, confront abusive behavior, and report suspected abuse.
Small actions can have a significant impact.

Can domestic violence prevention programs truly end abuse?

Yes! Programs that combine education, legal enforcement, and community support have been shown to drastically reduce abuse over time.

Domestic violence prevention is more than just responding to abuse once it has occurred; it is also about preventing abuse from occurring in the first place.

Mary's survival was only possible due to her community's prompt action and access to emergency assistance, but many victims are not so fortunate.

Every home may be made safe via education, strong legal institutions, cultural change, and joint community responsibility.
The battle against domestic abuse is a shared responsibility, and prevention is the most powerful instrument we have.