The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said Nigeria possesses the capacity to produce up to 1.9 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), following a production peak of 1.86 million bpd recorded in May.
The Commission Chief Executive (CCE) of NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this during a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, at the NRS headquarters in Abuja.
Eyesan noted that Nigeria’s oil production sector is experiencing a strong recovery and is steadily ramping up output despite ongoing challenges.
“We are back to production. We are ramping up now, and we want to continue working. We still recognise the constraints. Infrastructure and asset integrity are major constraints, but we will work on these. Even the human capacity in the industry remains a challenge because if we want to grow, we must also grow that capacity to meet the demands,” she said.
According to a statement issued by the Commission, Eyesan also highlighted one of NUPRC’s major achievements since assuming office—the digitization of its operations—which she said has largely been accomplished.
The meeting also served as a platform for both agencies to strengthen collaboration aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the collection of oil and gas revenues.
Speaking on the transition of revenue collection responsibilities, Eyesan described the process as seamless and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for operators in the oil and gas industry.
“We are here to enable them, enable their businesses, ensure that they survive and succeed. We want to grow the pie because when you grow the pie, everybody benefits,” she added.
The NUPRC boss further commended Adedeji for spearheading reforms that led to the enactment of the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, describing the development as a significant milestone for revenue administration in the country.
In his response, Adedeji praised the Commission for its professionalism, transparency, and dynamic approach to regulation. He pledged the NRS’s continued support, particularly regarding the implementation of revenue collection functions under the new law.
“It is in the interest of Nigeria that we work together to grow revenue for the country in a transparent manner for the good of Nigerians. There is no way we would do something to jeopardise the progress or sustainability of another agency,” Adedeji said.
He clarified that the role of the NRS is to collect revenue rather than generate it, stressing the importance of inter-agency cooperation in boosting government earnings.
“I collect revenue. I don’t generate revenue. Wherever revenue is, I work on it and keep an account for you. So, I’m helping you to collect your royalties,” he stated.
Adedeji assured that the NRS would continue to collaborate with the Commission to achieve their shared goal of increasing government revenue in a fair, transparent, and sustainable manner.
The renewed partnership between the NUPRC and NRS comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to improve oil production, strengthen regulatory efficiency, and maximise revenue generation from the petroleum sector.
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