Nigeria’s oil rigs surge from 8 to 69 in four years — NUPRC Boss

Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has announced that Nigeria’s active upstream oil rigs have increased dramatically from eight in 2021 to 69 as of October 2025, marking a 760% growth.

Speaking after receiving the Global Sustainable Leadership Award at the 2025 Global Sustainable Education and Leadership (G-SEL) Conference in London, Komolafe highlighted that the surge reflects renewed investor confidence and operational growth in the oil sector.

He also noted that NUPRC revenues consistently exceeded federal projections, with surpluses of 18.3% in 2022, 14.6% in 2023, and 84.2% in 2024.

Komolafe’s tenure has been credited with advancing the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), enhancing transparency, promoting indigenous participation, and establishing Host Community Development Trusts to deliver socio-economic benefits to oil-producing communities. He stated: “We are building a transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly system that reflects our national values and global aspirations.”

Other recipients of the G-SEL award included leaders from the World Energy Council, UNDP, General Electric UK, and Zambia’s High Commissioner to the UK, recognising global contributions to sustainable energy leadership.