Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has been named among leading continental experts invited to address the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) holding in Midrand, South Africa, this November.
The 14-day session, which began on Monday, November 3, will bring together legislators, policymakers, and thought leaders from across Africa to deliberate on continental governance priorities and sustainable development frameworks.
Komolafe’s invitation — extended in recognition of his dual capacity as NUPRC Chief Executive and interim President of the Africa Forum for Petroleum Regulators and Frameworks (AFRIPERF) — represents a rare acknowledgement of Nigeria’s leadership in upstream oil and gas reform under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In a letter dated October 17, 2025, the Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament invited Komolafe to deliver a paper on “Legislative Frameworks for Sustainable Upstream Regulation in Africa’s Oil and Gas Sector” during the session.
“This topic explores how robust legislative reforms can advance sustainability in Africa’s upstream oil and gas operations, inviting insights from your leadership at NUPRC and as Acting Chairman of AFRIPERF,” the Bureau stated.
According to the Parliament, Komolafe’s presentation is expected to provide critical reflections on Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and how its blend of transparency, community participation, and investor-friendly regulation could serve as a continental model for energy governance.
The Bureau noted that lessons from Nigeria’s recent reforms would support PAP’s efforts to craft model laws across member states to strengthen accountability, environmental safeguards, and equitable revenue management in the extractive sector.
This marks only the second time in recent years that a Nigerian public official has been invited to address the PAP plenary — a platform historically reserved for distinguished African reformers and innovators shaping the continent’s development agenda.
Observers say Komolafe’s inclusion underscores the far-reaching influence of Nigeria’s petroleum reforms and the strong momentum behind the Tinubu administration’s drive for a transparent, accountable, and competitive energy sector.
Since assuming office as NUPRC’s Chief Executive, Komolafe has led a transformation in the upstream industry through digitised licensing processes, enhanced environmental oversight, and performance-based regulation. These reforms have been credited with restoring investor confidence and improving Nigeria’s oil and gas production outlook.
Under his leadership, crude oil output has climbed to around 1.7 million barrels per day, while gas flaring has dropped to 7.16 percent — one of the lowest levels in two decades. The PIA’s fiscal clarity and host community provisions have also improved industry-community relations, creating a more stable operating environment.
The Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament said Komolafe’s paper would contribute to ongoing discussions on aligning national energy policies with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, particularly its targets on inclusive growth, environmental sustainability, and energy transition.
Analysts describe the invitation as a milestone for both Komolafe and Nigeria, highlighting the country’s emergence as a credible voice in continental energy governance. They argue that the Tinubu administration’s commitment to institutional reform, transparency, and innovation in the oil and gas sector has positioned Nigeria as a model for responsible resource management in Africa.
By joining other distinguished experts at the plenary, Komolafe is expected to strengthen regulatory collaboration across the continent and reinforce Africa’s collective push toward a just, inclusive, and sustainable energy future.
