By Seun Ibiyemi
Nigeria’s oil and gas industry may be approaching a critical turning point as a growing shortage of skilled professionals threatens the sector’s long-term sustainability, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Oritsemeyewa Eyesan, has warned.
Eyesan raised the concern during a courtesy visit by the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), led by its Chairman, Adegbite Falade, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the NUPRC boss urged indigenous operators to prioritise human capital development, cautioning that failure to do so could undermine the industry’s future growth.
She noted that the increasing dominance of local firms following the exit of international oil companies has placed greater responsibility on indigenous players to maintain industry standards and build technical capacity.
“One area I think we need to spotlight is human capital development. As the industry grows, there is a tendency toward default, and if we allow that to fester, it will hurt all of us,” Eyesan said.
She stressed that the implications of weak capacity extend beyond individual companies, warning that global investors assess Nigeria as a whole rather than isolated operators.
“Because we are in a global market, the financiers are rating Nigeria; they are not rating companies. If we do not bring our human capacity to par, then we will be creating a big problem for ourselves,” she added.
With divestments by multinational oil firms reshaping Nigeria’s upstream landscape, Eyesan described the IPPG as a “significant force” that must uphold high operational standards, enforce discipline among members, and emulate global best practices.
She also emphasised strict compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, noting that strong corporate governance and regulatory alignment are essential to sustaining investor confidence.
Reaffirming the Commission’s role as a business enabler, Eyesan assured operators of continued regulatory support in line with the economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The NUPRC chief further disclosed that the Commission has transitioned fully to a paperless system as part of reforms aimed at improving efficiency and transparency.
Responding, Falade commended the NUPRC leadership, noting that the industry has begun to witness positive changes since Eyesan assumed office in December 2025.
He called for sustained engagement between the regulator and indigenous producers, pledging the group’s commitment to national development.
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Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is currently undergoing a major transition driven by divestments by international oil companies and the growing role of indigenous operators. While this shift is seen as a boost for local content development, industry experts warn it has exposed a widening skills gap.
For decades, multinational firms provided technical expertise and training. Their gradual exit has left indigenous companies with the challenge of filling that gap, often without sufficient manpower.
Analysts caution that the shortage of skilled professionals—ranging from engineers and geoscientists to project managers—could slow production growth, weaken operational efficiency, and ultimately affect Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global energy market.
