The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), in furtherance of its Project One Million Barrels Initiative, has announced plans to reactivate all dormant fields, as well as fast-track regulatory approvals to achieve increased production of 2.5 million barrel per day by 2026.
Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission Chief Executive (CCE) stated this at the maiden conference of the Energy Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
He explained that there are new frontier opportunities in onshore, shallow water and deep offshore blocks, especially in underexplored basins, enabled by its new licensing rounds regime.
“Through our Project One Million Barrels Initiative, launched in 2024, Nigeria is actively ramping up crude oil production by reactivating dormant fields, fast-tracking regulatory approvals, and enhancing operational efficiencies across the upstream value chain.
“With a clear target of increasing production to 2.5 million bpd by 2026, the initiative has already demonstrated strong momentum with current unreconciled daily production averaging 1.7 – 1.83 million bpd,” he said.
Komolafe who was represented by Kingston Chikwendu, Head, Regulation & Statutory Compliance at the NUPRC, said that the commission has given approval of 37 new evacuation routes, coupled with intensified collaboration with national security agencies, this he said significantly curtailed crude theft and enhanced accountability across the industry.
“At the same time, the enforcement of the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) is securing consistent feedstock to local refineries, strengthening Nigeria’s internal supply chains and building long-term economic resilience.
“On the socio-developmental front, the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) framework, fully operational via our HostComply digital platform, has created unprecedented transparency and direct community impact, fostering trust, reducing conflict, and reinforcing social licence to operate. Our broader digital transformation agenda is also reshaping regulatory engagement: streamlining approvals, improving investor clarity, and delivering faster and smarter oversight,” Komolafe added.
He stated that while hydrocarbons continue to generate nearly 90 percent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and 70 percent of government revenue, the long-term viability of the energy sector depends on aligning growth with climate responsibility.
Read also: NUPRC to commence 2025 licensing round in December
According to Komolafe, the nation’s gas-centric energy transition strategy is a cornerstone of this effort, anchored by flagship initiatives such as the Decade of Gas, the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP), and the Presidential CNG Initiative.
These programs, he said are aimed to eliminate routine gas flaring by 2030 and reduce methane emissions by 60 percent by 2031.
“In parallel, we are working collaboratively with industry stakeholders to fully monetize Nigeria’s abundant gas resources through strategic LNG expansion, deployment of floating production solutions, and the development of cross-border pipelines designed not only to power Nigeria’s economy but to accelerate Africa’s broader industrialisation.
“Beyond infrastructure, the NUPRC is also championing the creation of a transparent, competitive, and investor-friendly gas market, unlocking the commercial potential of an estimated 600+ trillion cubic feet of gas resources (upward potential) and positioning Nigeria as a central hub in the global energy transition,” he added.
