The Centre for Fiscal Transparency in Natural Resources (CFTNR) has applauded the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for its commitment to transparency, institutional accountability, and full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), following a directive by the House of Representatives for OML18 Resources Limited to remit $4.02 million to the Federation Account.

OML18 Resources, formerly Sahara Field Production Ltd, is among 45 oil and gas companies flagged in the audit report and data presented by the NUPRC as owing a combined $1.7 billion to the Nigerian government in unpaid royalties, gas flare penalties, and related liabilities.

At the resumed hearing of the House Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday, chaired by Bamidele Salam, the committee directed OML18 Resources to remit $4.02 million, 20 percent of its confirmed debt, within five days. The company was also given 14 days to reconcile its full outstanding obligations with the asset operator and submit a breakdown to the committee.

The directive followed confirmation by NUPRC that OML18 Resources owes $17.37 million in crude oil royalties, $2.86 million in gas flare penalties, and N173.7 million in gas sales revenue — a debt acknowledged by the company during the hearing.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, Dr Halima Isa Lawal, Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency in Natural Resources, said the intervention by NUPRC reflects a renewed seriousness in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, which aims to promote accountability and investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“NUPRC’s actions are proof that the reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act are taking root. For years, Nigeria struggled with weak oversight and opaque revenue tracking in the upstream sector. Today, we are beginning to see a new era of regulatory assertiveness,” Lawan said.

“This is not just about recovering $4.02 million; it’s about resetting expectations. Operators now understand that obligations to the state will be enforced.”

She described the Commission’s data-led regulatory approach as an example of how institutional leadership can serve the public good, praising Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of NUPRC, for driving sector-wide compliance without political interference.

“Under Engr. Komolafe’s leadership, NUPRC has shown that it is possible to uphold the rule of law in Nigeria’s most critical revenue-generating industry. The clarity, professionalism, and urgency with which the Commission is addressing outstanding liabilities deserve commendation,” Lawal said.

“These efforts go beyond just figures; they restore the credibility of our institutions and show both investors and citizens that transparency is not negotiable.”

Lawal also noted that Nigeria’s current fiscal outlook requires every dollar earned from the oil and gas sector to be accounted for.

She called for even stronger collaboration between regulatory bodies, parliament, and civil society to ensure sustained oversight and systemic change.

“In a time of economic hardship and budgetary constraints, Nigeria simply cannot afford leakages in a sector that accounts for over 70 percent of government revenue,” she said.

“What NUPRC has demonstrated is that with clarity of mandate and strong leadership, regulatory agencies can secure compliance and recover resources vital to national development.”

Lawal further urged the National Assembly to continue supporting agencies like NUPRC by upholding their independence and encouraging timely implementation of audit recommendations.

“The House Committee on Public Accounts has shown courage and resolve in tackling this issue head-on. Their collaboration with NUPRC in scrutinising these debts has proven effective, and we encourage similar action across other sectors,” the statement added.

“Let this signal a new era where rules are enforced, not ignored; where compliance is rewarded, and where failure to meet statutory obligations attracts swift penalties.”

As Nigeria continues to reposition its oil and gas sector under the PIA, stakeholders say NUPRC’s role in enforcing transparency will be crucial to achieving long-term economic resilience.

Lawal concluded by calling on other oil and gas firms to review their own records and engage proactively with regulators.

“This is a turning point. Companies should see this not as punishment, but as an opportunity to align with the new standards. Transparency is no longer optional — it is the future of Nigeria’s extractive sector.”

The Concerned Citizens Against Corruption (CCAC) has officially disowned its convener, Comrade Kabir Matazu, following his sudden withdrawal of allegations and calls for the investigation of the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday and signed by the Secretary General of the coalition, Comrade Moses Okino, the group accused Matazu of acting under external influence and betraying the core values of the movement.

CCAC alleged that powerful interests with ties to Kyari’s tenure have been orchestrating a bribery campaign to whitewash his record.

“We, the leadership of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, categorically state that Kabir Matazu acted alone. His press conference withdrawing our petition was not only unauthorized but disgraceful. It was an act of betrayal,” Okino declared.

“Our coalition was not consulted. There was no meeting, no consensus. We have every reason to believe that Matazu was compromised, and his actions were influenced by monetary inducements meant to derail our anti-corruption campaign.

“We have received reports that James Ume has been moving from office to office, calling activists, lobbying with cash and promises — all to ensure Mele Kyari’s tenure is not subjected to public investigation.

“What happened with Matazu is not an isolated incident. It’s part of a broader plan to intimidate and financially co-opt every voice demanding transparency. But we are not all for sale.”

Matazu had on Thursday, during a press conference in Abuja, announced that the April 23 protest led by the coalition was “hasty” and “misguided,” claiming that the group had misunderstood the legal structure of NNPCL as a limited liability company. He further praised Kyari’s leadership and retracted all earlier allegations.

But Okino described Matazu’s statements as “a complete reversal of months of research, planning, and verified evidence,” adding that the group’s original petition was backed by whistleblower intelligence and independent investigations.

“We did not arrive at our conclusions lightly. Our allegations against Mele Kyari were based on solid information regarding suspicious transactions, refinery rehabilitation funds, crude swap deals, and procurement irregularities under his watch,” Okino said.

“For Matazu to wake up one morning and claim it was all a misunderstanding insults our collective intelligence and undermines the credibility of civil society work in Nigeria.”

He said the coalition had immediately set up a disciplinary committee to investigate Matazu’s conduct, with the possibility of expelling him from the group and making its findings public.

“No one is above accountability, not even our convener. Matazu has embarrassed this coalition and will face the consequences of his reckless and suspicious behaviour,” Okino added.

CCAC reaffirmed its original demand for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the office of the Attorney General to probe Kyari’s tenure.

It insisted that public resources must be accounted for, especially in a sector as strategic as petroleum.

“If indeed Kyari has nothing to hide, he should welcome an open probe. The attempt to gag public inquiry only raises further questions about the scale of financial misconduct under his leadership,” the group said.

“We remain committed to the truth. Nigerians deserve answers, not press conferences staged by individuals who have been bought to rewrite history.

“We owe this country more than silence. Matazu’s actions will not derail us. If anything, they have strengthened our resolve. This fight is no longer just about Kyari; it is about defending the soul of anti-corruption advocacy in Nigeria.

“We urge Nigerians to disregard Matazu’s retraction. It was not made in good faith. It was the product of desperation by people who fear the truth.”

The coalition concluded by calling on other civil society groups, labour unions, and watchdogs to be vigilant against infiltration and bribery, warning that “the enemies of transparency will stop at nothing to protect their own”.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and its Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, have received nominations in two key categories at the 2025 Africa Energies Summit Awards, set to hold on May 15 in London.

The Commission is shortlisted for the Rhino Award, which honours Africa’s top-performing regulators or national oil companies, while Komolafe is nominated for the Elephant Award, which recognises individuals making significant contributions to the continent’s energy advancement.

In response to the nominations, a civil society group, the Alliance for Sustainable Energy Governance in Africa (ASEGA), commended Komolafe for the recognition, describing it as “a timely affirmation of Nigeria’s evolving stature in Africa’s energy sector”.

ASEGA, which describes itself as a network of professionals, researchers, and community-based advocates focused on energy governance, said the nominations underscore the progress made by the NUPRC under Komolafe’s leadership since its creation in 2021.

“The nomination of Engr. Komolafe and the Commission points to one thing: strategic, consistent reform works,” said Alhaji Ibrahim Bello Kura, the coalition’s national president, in a statement on Tuesday.

“It reflects a growing perception that Nigeria’s upstream sector is now more transparent, more predictable, and far more efficient than it was just four years ago.”

During his Senate screening in 2021, Komolafe pledged to build “a 21st-century regulator and the leading upstream regulator in Africa.” ASEGA said the nominations were evidence that this vision is being realised.

“At the time of his Senate clearance, many may have viewed his ambition as aspirational. But today, there is measurable progress. From data-driven regulation to investor confidence and better governance mechanisms, the NUPRC has set a new standard,” the coalition said.

ASEGA added that the recognition at a continental event with global visibility highlights how Nigerian institutions can gain respect through impactful reforms.

“We now have an upstream regulator that others across Africa are studying, not out of courtesy, but out of a need to replicate results,” the group noted.

“These awards go beyond prestige. They recognise how the NUPRC has translated complex mandates into clear outcomes. They validate the argument that public institutions can be effective and respected, if properly led.”

The coalition credited Komolafe’s leadership for the agency’s upward trajectory.

“What we’re seeing is the outcome of stable, focused leadership. This nomination does not belong to one individual, but Komolafe’s role in establishing institutional direction cannot be overstated.”

ASEGA also referenced the Commission’s recent data on hydrocarbon reserves, which it said show improved sector confidence.

In 2025, NUPRC reported oil reserves of 37.24 billion barrels and gas reserves of 210.5 trillion cubic feet, with a projected reserve life of 64 and 93 years respectively. The Commission also launched initiatives aimed at raising Nigeria’s oil production by one million barrels per day.

“Statistical improvements alone don’t tell the full story. But when you connect those figures to regulatory actions, you see a pattern of deliberate policy execution. That’s what’s being recognised in London.”

According to ASEGA, the global nature of the summit makes the nominations particularly meaningful.

“This is not just a local commendation. These are peers and observers from across Africa and the global energy space. When they choose to nominate a Nigerian regulator and its chief executive, that sends a signal.”

The coalition urged the Commission to stay focused on long-term institutional reforms rather than see the recognition as an endpoint.

“There’s still more work ahead. But this shows that the direction is right,” ASEGA added.

The Africa Energies Summit, now in its 29th edition, is expected to convene energy leaders, regulators, and policymakers from across the continent.

Other nominees for the Rhino Award include PETROCI (Côte d’Ivoire), ANPG (Angola), ANP-STP (São Tomé and Príncipe), SMH (Mauritania), and PETROSEN (Senegal). Komolafe joins a shortlist for the Elephant Award that includes senior officials from ExxonMobil, Angola’s ANPG, Uganda’s Petroleum Authority, and Madagascar’s OMNIS.

The awards will feature keynote addresses from Gayle Meikle, CEO of Frontier, and Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commissioner of Namibia, among others.