Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has faulted a report titled, ‘N8.41tn oil theft drains economy, fuels investors’ doubts’ published on the front page of The PUNCH on Wednesday September 24, 2025.

NUPRC said the report in question was based on a misinterpretation of crude loss statistics between 2021 and July 2025 which had been released by the NUPRC in the spirit of transparency and in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

This was based on a statement released by the Commission, signed by Head, Media and Strategic Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu.

Recall that the commission had revealed on September 11, 2025 that daily crude oil losses had dropped to 9,600 barrels per day, the lowest since 2009 which was reported widely and accurately.

The Commission noted it was vindicated when the latest figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.23% largely on the back of an increased oil output and two other sectors an-acknowledgement of the steady progress made by the industry to combat the menace of crude oil theft.

Against the foregoing, the report by The PUNCH is not only specious but lacks proper context for the following reasons:

"Firstly, crude oil losses have been on the downward trend due to collaborative efforts between the NUPRC, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the military, Operators and other relevant stakeholders. This collaboration through both kinetic and non-kinetic means, dropped oil theft from a staggering 102,900 in 2021 – when the Commission was established – to the current 9,600bopd representing over 90% reduction in losses.

"Also, in the misleading report, an exchange rate of N1,500/$1 is used from 2021 to 2025 to increase the figures and sensationalize actual losses when in actual fact, Nigeria’s exchange rate was less than N430 on the official market and barely N600/$1 on average between 2021 (when most of the crude theft occurred) and in mid-2023. The N8.41 trillion is therefore inaccurate. Attempting to situate it within the current 2025 federal budget is flawed.

"Furthermore, the methodology adopted by the Newspaper is significantly flawed because it lacks in-depth understanding of operations, crude oil price trends and exchange rate mechanisms.

"Nigeria has continued to meet its OPEC quota due to the Commission’s initiatives and working collaboratively with industry stakeholders to sustain and grow productions. Such initiatives include: the project 1 million barrels, implementation of the metering audit, restoration of shut-in strings and increased rig counts, facility uptime, creation of alternative crude evacuation mechanism etc.

"Furthermore, Nigeria now has the technical capacity to produce above two million barrels daily. The Commission is galvanizing Industry stakeholders – Operators, service providers (local and international), rig owners, off-takers, and financiers -  in order to fully unlock the potential, riding on the improved operating environment and social inclusion in operating areas.

It said the story also failed the integrity test as no attempt was made by the reporter to get a clarification from the commission in the spirit of fairness and balanced reporting.

CCE, NUPRC, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe

... Daily Losses Contained At 9,600 Barrels

Nigeria’s upstream oil sector is witnessing a dramatic turnaround, with crude oil losses from theft and metering issues dropping to their lowest levels in nearly 16 years. 

In July 2025, daily losses stood at 9,600 barrels per day (bpd), the lowest figure since 2009 when losses dropped to all-time low of 8,500 bpd.

This is based on trends of crude oil losses year-to-date July 2025, released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

This progress marks a major leap forward in the Commission's relentless drive to eliminate all forms of crude losses across Nigeria's oilfields and pipelines. 

Between January and July 2025, crude oil losses were contained at 2.04 million barrels, averaging 9,600 barrels per day over the seven-month period. This marks a clear departure from the high-loss years that have long plagued the industry.

By comparison, the entire 2024 calendar year recorded 4.1 million barrels lost at a daily average of 11,300 barrels. Remarkably, in just the first seven months of 2025, losses were cut by 50.2%, with only 2.04 million barrels lost over the period.

The figures for the period ending July 2025 also represent a dramatic 94.57% drop in crude oil losses compared to the full year of 2021, when Nigeria lost a staggering 37.6 million barrels at a daily average of 102,900 barrels. 

So far in 2025, only 2.04 million barrels have been lost, which is a reduction of 35.56 million barrels compared to the 37.6 million barrels lost in 2021, underscoring the scale of progress made in just four years.

Crude oil losses in 2021 were the highest recorded in nearly 23 years, making it the peak year between 2002 and July 2025. 

Since the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021, Nigeria has recorded steady progress in reducing crude oil losses. In 2021, losses stood at 37.6 million barrels, averaging 102,900 barrels per day. By 2022, this dropped to 20.9 million barrels at a daily average of 57,200 barrels.

The downward trend continued in 2023, with losses reduced to 4.3 million barrels at 11,900 barrels per day. Even more progress was made in 2024, as losses were further contained to 4.1 million barrels, averaging 11,300 barrels per day.

The Commission has adopted a balanced mix of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in tackling oil losses. On the kinetic front, the Commission has continued to collaborate closely with security agencies, operators and communities.

On the non-kinetic front, NUPRC has implemented strategic regulatory measures to close systemic loopholes. One key initiative is the metering audit across upstream facilities to ensure accurate measurement of production and exports.  

To further strengthen control, the NUPRC under the leadership of Engineer Gbenga Komolafe approved 37 new crude oil evacuation routes to combat oil theft.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has overseen the successful execution of the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) covering Petroleum Prospecting Licences 2000 and 2001 with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC) and the TotalEnergies–Sapetro Consortium.

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The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has overseen the successful execution of the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) covering Petroleum Prospecting Licences 2000 and 2001 with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC) and the TotalEnergies–Sapetro Consortium.

The licences awarded to TotalEnergies and its partner South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO) in the 2024 Licensing Round marked the closing ceremony of the 2024 Licensing Round.

The signing ceremony was held on Monday at the Commission Headquarters in Abuja.

The Commission Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, said the deal marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas industry, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2024 Executive Orders: #40 on fiscal incentives, #41 on local content, and #42 on cost efficiency and contract timelines, have catalysed massive investment inflows for shared prosperity.

The CCE said the awardees of PPL 2000 and PPL 2001 are beneficiaries of the reforms of President Tinubu.

However, he noted that "Every award has very clear terms about its tenure but the clear provisions of the PIA being the instrument that guides our regulatory activities is that unexplored acreages are expected to be relinquished apart from the clear terms of the award itself."

Komolafe congratulated TotalEnergies on its success in the Licensing Round. TotalEnergies has over 60 years of operations in Nigeria and holds 80% contractor interest, as well as Sapetro with 30 years of operations and holding 20% contractor interest.

He reiterated that the Licensing Round was based on a fair, transparent, and competitive bidding process in line with Section 73 of the PIA.

He commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for vacating entry barriers.

The CCE commended the NNPCL and the Consortium for their role in exploration and production activities in Nigeria.

The CCE said, "This PSC signals the start of a committed work programme that will help us unlock the untapped geological potential of our deep-water, expand our reserves, boost production, and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.”

According to him, the PSC sets out rules including payment of a signature bonus as stipulated in the licensing round and production bonuses tied to commercial milestones, ensuring Federation obligations relating to Decommissioning and Abandonment and Environmental Remediation Fund; a defined minimum work programme, with the requirement to provide guarantees to assure performance, among others.

The CCE pledged NUPRC's commitment to continue providing a level playing field, to reduce uncertainty, and foster ease of doing business.

Speaking at the event, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, thanked the leadership of the NUPRC for overseeing the licensing process in a fair and transparent manner.

He said the PSC is unique because it is the first PSC that comprehensively covers in scope both crude oil and natural gas.

The GCEO said following the PIA, tapping non-associated gas in the deep water is one of the areas the industry needed to push the frontiers. He said the PSC also has an incentive for performance which includes a $10m signature bonus, a production bonus of two million and four million barrels or a cash payment on attainment of 35 million barrels of production, respectively.

Ojulari said, "The PSC is a major milestone that speaks to the regulator’s commitment to implement the provisions of the PIA and will bring NNPCL closer to achieving the target of three million barrels per day and additional investments of $60bn by the end of 2030.

"I look forward to the CCE for many more bids like this and we will be leveraging this to actually demonstrate as we explore the opportunities that are in the Nigerian deep water. We will be marketing this outcome and we look forward to the next bid round."

The Managing Director of TotalEnergies, Mr. Mathieu Bouyer, thanked the CCE for the work done in ensuring the smooth conduct of the 2024 bid round.

He said, "This moment comes after extensive deliberations, rigorous evaluations, and, above all, an open and transparent bid process concluded on December 18, 2024. We are honoured to be the first International Oil Company to be awarded an explo block in 10 years and that our joint bid with our partner Sapetro was successful. Today marks the formal beginning of what we hope will be another chapter of value creation in Nigeria’s upstream sector."

Bouyer added, "We are eager to progress swiftly and responsibly with the implementation of the agreed work programme for both blocks. We are actively progressing towards spudding our first well on the blocks in the shortest possible timeframe."

The Managing Director of SAPETRO, Mr. Chukwuemeke Anagbogu, said the process went through a "very transparent and completely free process," adding that NUPRC showed leadership throughout the process.

Domestic Violence Prevention: The Story That Shocked a community.

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 • Promoting bystander intervention training

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Education: The Foundation of Domestic Violence Prevention

The Legal Side of Domestic Violence Prevention

Real-Life Prevention Strategies That Work

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Healing and Moving Forward After Abuse

FAQs

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.

Mary's account serves as a reminder that behind every number there is a person, a voice, and a heartbeat.

We cannot reverse the harm done to victims like Mary, but we can ensure that their grief motivates action, allow their tales to inspire a world where domestic violence prevention is more than a catchphrase, but a way of life.

Know that Silence protects the abusers. Action saves lives. Start preventing domestic abuse right now.