The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has reaffirmed that the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, 2021 remains critical to unlocking sustainable growth, attracting investments and enhancing competitiveness in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The Authority made the assertion at the 2026 Society of Petroleum Engineers Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition, SPE NAICE, where it showcased its regulatory reforms and technical contributions aimed at strengthening the petroleum industry.
Leading the Authority’s delegation, the Chief Executive, Rabiu Umar, said NMDPRA remained committed to implementing the provisions of the PIA through transparent, efficient and investor-friendly regulation.
Delivering the Regulatory Address, Mr Umar reiterated the Authority’s guiding principles of being “Firm, Fair and Fast” in carrying out its statutory mandate, noting that a predictable regulatory environment was essential to attracting investments and driving sustainable growth across the midstream and downstream petroleum sectors.
He said the Authority would continue to work with industry stakeholders to ensure the objectives of the PIA were fully realised for the benefit of investors, operators and Nigerians.
As part of its technical engagements at the conference, NMDPRA highlighted key aspects of the implementation of the PIA through expert presentations and panel discussions.
One of the highlights was a paper presented by Okechukwu Nwankwo titled, “Understanding the Regulatory Framework under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021,” in which he examined the Act’s regulatory framework and its implications for Nigeria’s evolving petroleum industry.
The presentation provided participants with insights into the implementation of the PIA and the regulatory mechanisms introduced to improve governance, transparency and operational efficiency across the sector.
The Authority also demonstrated its commitment to industry innovation through several technical sessions.
Jerry D. Ishaya chaired discussions on Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Asset and Information Management, Energy Transition and Decarbonisation, focusing on emerging technologies and sustainable practices shaping the future of the energy industry.
Similarly, Ahmad Mungadi presided over a technical session on Deep Water Development, Operations, Refining and Petrochemical Technology, where experts examined strategies for improving operational performance and advancing technological innovation.
Adaora Ugwu represented the Authority at the Women Leadership Programme panel discussion on the theme, “Elevating Leadership through Empathy, Leadership and Human-Centered Decision Making,” where she advocated inclusive leadership and people-centred decision-making in building resilient organisations.
NMDPRA also presented research on environmental sustainability and operational safety.
Odafe Atebe delivered a paper on “Assessment of Produced Formation Water Management Policy in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry,” while Bello Sayyadi presented “From Design to Decommissioning: Integrating Inherent Safety Principles in Nigeria’s Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Operations,” highlighting the need to integrate safety considerations throughout the lifecycle of petroleum infrastructure.
Representing the Authority as a sponsor of the conference, Elvis Druji reaffirmed NMDPRA’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote innovation, knowledge exchange and collaboration among stakeholders in the petroleum industry.
The Authority said its participation at SPE NAICE 2026 reflected its commitment to driving effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, strengthening regulatory excellence and fostering a safe, efficient and globally competitive Nigerian oil and gas sector.
