By Olisa Mbakwe

Like a master builder laying the foundation for a towering skyscraper, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe is constructing a new framework for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. With each strategic move, he’s adding a new layer of strength, transparency, and innovation, transforming the sector into a robust and thriving entity. As the head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Komolafe is the driving force behind this ambitious project, and his vision is taking shape with remarkable speed and precision.

Innovation is one of the buzzwords that has gained strong radiation in the world of development and growth. Its strength lies in the fact that for anyone to stay ahead of the competition, in these contemporary times, remain relevant and improve on the status quo, there is a critical need to innovate. This does not mean that in all cases, critical thinking and innovative strategic solutions work.

In all cases, the ability to strategically conceive, create and innovate must be matched by the ability to combine and extend the frontiers of technological knowledge with the capability and capacity to overcome unexpected problems imaginatively. This is the story of the NUPRC led by Engr. Komolafe Gbenga. Ever since coming on board, he has devised several innovative ways of transforming and bringing sanity to the Agency.

A highly pragmatic and dynamic professional, his foresightedness created radical transformational changes in the major areas of reducing crude oil theft, fostering transparency, increasing production capacity, enhancing investor confidence, and ensuring uninterrupted crude supply to local refineries. His introduction of the non-kinetic means of curbing oil thefts greatly reduced the menace to 5,000 BOPD and stabilized production to a consistent 1.7 million BOPD with high possibility of an increased production of 1 million BOPD by December 2026 under the Project 1 MMBOPD initiative, while collaborating with operators, service providers, financiers, and host communities.

His deliberate to rewrite the performance of the Agency and strategically raise the bar of Nigeria’s oil and gas potentials in the global rating has led to the position the country now holds as African’s largest gas reserve holder and the second-largest oil reserve holder of the continent, while its oil reserve is estimated at 37.5 billion barrels, with its gas standing at 209 trillion cubic feet (TCF).

In a demonstration of outstanding leadership and superlative performance, Engr. Gbenga grew oil production in Nigeria to an excellent average of 1.75 billion standard cubic feet (SCFD) on a daily average and an enviable gas production rate of 7 billion standard cubic feet per day (SCFD).

In order to foster transparency and enhance strong collaboration in the area of regulation, Engr Gbenga relying on the instruments of the 2011 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the 10-year Regulatory and Corporate Strategic Plan (2023 – 2033) and the 2024 Regulatory Action Plan, which promotes strategic industry reforms, Engr. Komolafe fostered turnaround in several areas such as increasing oil and gas reserves, decarbonization within the upstream operations, enhancing cost efficiency, maintaining stability and general confidence building with the host communities, and importantly bringing to an appreciable level the carbon footprint of the oil and gas activities.

In demonstration of inclusivity and in order to foster global participation, he launch a licensing Round, an initiative that brought in 24 oil and gas assets to international and local investors further amplifying Nigeria’s energy potentials. Engr. Gbenga initiated the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialization Programme (NGFCP) and the Carbon Credits Earning Framework, both are flagship project aimed at not just eliminating the challenges of gas flaring but also reducing methane emissions, encourage carbon capture technologies, monetize the decarbonization strategy and also remain at the vanguard of the country’s energy transition and also promote sustainable energy practices.

Engr. Gbenga also established a robust Host Community Engagement and Regulatory Transparency Committee, this committee brought about the 137 Host Communities Development Trust (HCDTs), and the establishment of an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC), which has been pivotal in subsequent interface, conflict resolutions, and the observed reduction in the disruption of oil and gas operations within the region.

Engr. Gbenga has created an ambience supportive of a growing investment and a robust policy direction coupled with a consistent record of implementation which has assured the global industry his determination to lead one of the highest oil and gas industrial hub in the world. Through strengthening of strategic alliance engagement of various oil producers and collaboration, he has been able to reduce carbon emission and assured the supply of domestic crude. He has also been able to boost an industry wide collaboration on deep play exploration and deepen financial collaboration.

These sundry reforms coupled with a strong fiscal regulation in areas such as fiscal oil price determination, hydrocarbon metering, and cargo declaration systems, have led to consistent and rising financial growth and the blocking of revenue leakages, and consequent mitigation against oil theft, which has seen the industry surpassing its 2024 revenue projection with an internally generated revenue of over 84 percent.

Engr. Gbenga is setting the pace through innovative reforms and significant collaborative deft moves, integration, and inclusivity, thereby making the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Africa’s leading regulator and promoting sustainable value creation from the country’s petroleum resources for shared prosperity.

Through Engr. Gbenga’s impact and deliberate transformative leadership style, NUPRC has restored sanity within the oil and gas sector. In keeping to his promise that he will restore sanity to the industry during his appearance at the Senate, Engr Gbenga Komolafe has not only restored sanity but has gone ahead to build the needed confidence in the industry, thereby attracting foreign direct investment and various local and international players into the industry.

Today, many of the multi-nationals that had signed to leave the country because of the lack of confidence in the sector are al having a rethink now. These companies are all contemplating something new and different now, as they have seen the fortune they desire in the industry. Indeed, Engr Gbenga Komolafe is writing a story of stability, honesty and fruitfulness in the NUPRC, making the industry one of the most competitive global players and setting Nigeria as a continental pacesetter in oil and gas production.

Mbakwe an oil and gas project manager wrote this piece from Port Harcourt..

By Uche Aguoru

In an alarming show of high-handedness, insecurity, and utter disdain for democratic values, the administration of Governor Alex Otti has unleashed a new wave of repression on traditional rulers in Abia State. Under the guise of a so-called “code of conduct,” Otti’s government has issued directives that amount to nothing less than the caging of these custodians of culture and tradition.

The new guidelines dictate that no traditional ruler may receive or host visitors in their palaces without express approval from the governor. Even more shockingly, they are forbidden from traveling outside the state or convening meetings beyond state boundaries, host or award chieftaincy titles to deserving individuals without government permission. Such draconian measures are characteristic of a despotic regime, not a democracy.

To compound the outrage, credible reports indicate that some monarchs who paid a courtesy visit to Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, have been summoned like errant schoolboys to the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Their offense? Expressing support for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They now face the grotesque threat of disciplinary action, including possible suspension or withdrawal of their staff of office for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of association and speech.

What crime have these royal fathers committed that warrants such medieval punishment? It is clear: Governor Otti, having breached the promises he made to these leaders before the 2023 elections, promises that included ensuring their rightful 5% allocation from the federation account now seeks to muzzle and intimidate them into silence for fear that might work against him in the coming election and expose his duplicity to the public.

The traditional rulers, who were instrumental in mobilizing support for Otti’s election, have been abandoned, disrespected, and now subjugated. The governor who once courted their goodwill with lofty promises has now turned against them, revealing an administration rooted not in partnership and respect, but in fear, suspicion, and authoritarian control.

It is imperative for the world to know the indignities being suffered by the royal fathers of Abia State. These respected custodians of our heritage are being treated like subjects under colonial rule, stripped of their dignity, caged within their own palaces, and threatened into political servitude.

Governor Otti must be reminded that democracy thrives on dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to the rule of law, not intimidation, coercion, and suppression.

Traditional rulers are not political appointees; they are the living symbols of our communities’ history, values, and identity. Attempting to gag and control them is not only an assault on their persons but an attack on the soul of Abia State itself.

This travesty must not stand. Every well-meaning Abian, every lover of freedom, and every advocate of democracy must rise to condemn this cowardly, undemocratic, and autocratic assault. Governor Otti must immediately withdraw these shameful directives, respect the autonomy and dignity of traditional institutions, and remember that leadership is about service, not subjugation.

History will not be kind to those who, when given the sacred trust to lead, chose instead to oppress.

Aguoru

Is a public affairs analyst

By Arome Audu

From the sun-kissed savannas of Kebbi State to the corridors of power in Abuja, His Excellency Abubakar Atiku Bagudu’s rise is a masterclass in visionary leadership. With a career spanning over a decade of impactful governance, Bagudu’s remarkable journey has been marked by a string of groundbreaking achievements that have left an indelible mark on the lives of Nigerians, particularly his people in Kebbi. As the current Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, he continues to soar to new heights, leveraging his expertise and vision to drive economic growth, development, and prosperity for the nation.

From senator to governor, and now minister, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu’s career trajectory has been a masterstroke of visionary leadership. Born on December 26th, 1961, Bagudu’s impact on Kebbi State as senator and governor continues to resonate deeply with its people. His legacy of monumental achievements remains unmatched, with the Zuru Emirate Road standing as a giant symbol of his transformative leadership – a marvel of engineering that has redefined the state’s landscape. 

Under Bagudu’s visionary leadership, Kebbi’s landscape underwent a dramatic transformation. The gleaming New Secretariat Complex in Gwandangaji, Birnin-Kebbi, an N949 million masterpiece crafted by Rockwell Nigeria Limited, attests to his commitment to infrastructural excellence. The state-of-the-art complex has become a landmark, symbolizing the state’s progress and potential.

Meanwhile, the FIFA-standard mini stadium in Birnin-Kebbi, built for $1.189 million, has become a hub for sporting activities and community bonding, fostering a sense of unity and healthy competition among the youth. Furthermore, the Matawallen Gwandu initiative revolutionized Kebbi’s agricultural sector, catapulting the state to the forefront of rice production and making it a major revenue earner for the nation. Today, Kebbi’s rice pyramid is a symbol of its agricultural prowess, setting a benchmark for other states to follow.

Bagudu’s impact on healthcare was nothing short of transformative. He breathed new life into Kebbi’s medical facilities, renovating and rehabilitating hospitals, healthcare centers, and clinics, including the Kebbi Medical Centre in Kalgo and the Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital. These once-aging institutions were transformed into ultra-modern facilities, providing top-notch medical care to the people. His commitment to people-oriented leadership also extended to education, where he invested heavily in building and upgrading schools across the state.

The Adamu Augie College of Education Argungu, the Kebbi State College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery, and the College of Health Technology in Jega were among the institutions elevated to degree-awarding status, opening up new opportunities for students. His leadership and charisma also drew thousands of opposition politicians to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Perhaps most remarkable, however, is the unprecedented N40 billion he left in the state treasury for his successor, a rare feat that speaks volumes about his integrity and commitment to transparency and accountability.

Bagudu’s leadership has been marked by a deep sense of empathy and thoughtfulness, earning him a special place in the hearts of his people. One notable gesture that still resonates with civil servants is the payment of over N3 billion in gratuities to retired state, local government, and local government education authority workers. Similarly, legislators who worked with him recall the N2 billion released for constituency projects across the state, a move that brought development closer to the people.

As a senator, Bagudu’s empowerment programs were trailblazing, particularly the Rice Academy initiative in Dakingari, which trained farmers and provided subsidized fertilizers, tractors, and buyback programs worth N3.5 billion. He also supported agricultural extension workers with 100 motorcycles, enhancing their efficiency. His partnership with OXFAM to distribute one million, three hundred thousand tree seedlings to communities statewide showcased his commitment to environmental sustainability. Now, as Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Bagudu’s innovative approach focuses on job creation, poverty reduction, and wealth generation, driving prosperity for all Nigerians.

Through strategic collaboration with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), he successfully concessioned the Cassava Bio-Ethanol Value Chain project across six geographical zones. This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize biotechnology, establishing industrial parks on 20-hectare plots across 20 universities and research institutions, and creating over 8,000 jobs. The project’s impact is expected to be profound, doubling cassava production from 62 million tons to 120 million tons, and fostering robust partnerships and resource mobilization.

By prioritizing renewable biomass, Bagudu aims to create wealth, generate jobs, reduce poverty, and improve food security, all while promoting sustainable energy and reducing carbon footprint. Furthermore, his commitment to timely release of monthly inflation figures has been a game-changer, enabling data-driven policy decisions that inform budget allocation, expenditure control, and economic planning. This proactive approach has helped mitigate inflationary trends, ultimately enhancing citizens’ welfare and driving economic growth.

Under Bagudu’s leadership, budgetary policy adjustments have been fine-tuned to drive economic stability and growth. By prioritizing strategic spending, introducing price control measures, and ensuring transparency and accountability, the Renewed Hope Mandate of the present administration has been brought to life. A key milestone has been the reinvention of the National Bureau of Statistics, which has overhauled data collection and analysis, enabling more accurate GDP calculations and cementing Nigeria’s position as a leading economic powerhouse in Africa.

Furthermore, the launch of the revised National Social Protection Policy promises to revolutionize social welfare, while digital project monitoring, geospatial analysis, and collaboration with development partners like the World Bank are ensuring more effective resource allocation and sustainable development. These reforms are paving the way for a more prosperous future for Nigerian citizens.

As a champion of economic diversification and national development, Bagudu has consistently showcased a unique blend of visionary leadership and innovative thinking. With a strong academic foundation in Economics from Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, and a Master’s Degree in Money and Banking from the University of Jos, Bagudu’s expertise has been recognised nationally and internationally. He is a recipient of Nigeria’s prestigious Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and the Order of Merit of Niger Republic, for his outstanding contributions to public service and economic development.

As Nigeria’s economic landscape evolves, Bagudu’s impact will remain a defining chapter in the nation’s story. His leadership has set a new standard for visionary governance, and his influence will continue to shape the country’s future. Today, as Nigeria charts its course towards a brighter future, Bagudu’s impact on the nation’s economic landscape will be felt for years to come. His story is a reminder that with determination and hard work, even the most ambitious dreams can become a reality.

Audu is a public affairs analyst writing from Kaduna.