The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regulatory certainty through closer engagement with legal professionals and industry stakeholders.
Speaking at the authority’s 2026 General Counsel and Legal Advisers Forum in Abuja, the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Malam Rabiu Umar, said collaboration was essential to creating a transparent and predictable business environment capable of attracting investment into Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
He said compliance remained the foundation of an effective regulatory system but stressed that the industry’s long-term success depended on providing investors with confidence through clear and consistent regulation.
Umar acknowledged that implementation challenges and areas of regulatory ambiguity still existed, adding that the authority would continue to engage stakeholders, regulate transparently and respond to the evolving needs of the sector.
He said the forum was designed as a platform for dialogue and feedback between the regulator and legal representatives of licensed operators, with discussions focusing on practical implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), investment confidence, institutional coordination, energy security and host community development.
According to Umar, the recommendations from the forum are expected to strengthen the competitiveness, transparency and sustainability of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
The Authority Secretary and Legal Adviser, Dr Joseph Tolorunse, said the country’s petroleum sector would be shaped not only by its natural resources but also by the strength and credibility of its regulatory institutions.
He said the NMDPRA would place greater emphasis on compliance by design, proactive stakeholder engagement and dialogue to resolve regulatory issues, describing regulatory certainty as a strategic asset for driving sustained investment, economic growth and national prosperity.
