By Erewunmi Peace

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has called on the newly appointed leaders of Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory agencies to focus on reducing import dependence and boosting investment in the domestic oil and gas sector.

On December 19, 2025, the Nigerian Senate confirmed Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Saidu Mohammed as CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Their confirmations followed nominations by President Bola Tinubu earlier this month, as part of a broader reset of the country’s petroleum regulatory architecture.

In a statement on Thursday, Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of CPPE, commended the appointments and urged the new leadership to prioritize domestic refining, local production, and the creation of investment opportunities across the petroleum sector. He emphasized that reducing reliance on imported fuel remains critical for Nigeria’s economic growth and energy security.

Nigeria, one of the world’s largest crude oil producers, continues to depend heavily on imports for refined petroleum products, a situation that has long prompted calls for increased domestic refining capacity. Experts say effective leadership at NUPRC and NMDPRA is essential for achieving the country’s long-term energy and industrial goals.