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ICPC, NUPRC strengthen collaboration on transparency in petroleum sector – EnviroNews
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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reaffirmed its readiness to support efforts aimed at building a transparent, accountable and compliant regulatory system in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, made the commitment on Friday, September 11, 2026, in Abuja when the Chief Executive of NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, paid him a courtesy visit.
Aliyu said the strategic importance of NUPRC to the Nigerian economy made it necessary for both institutions to work closely to strengthen regulatory compliance and prevent corruption in the petroleum industry.
He said weaknesses in the operations of the petroleum regulator could have significant implications for the nation’s economic well being.
“Integrity in your sector is very important. We need investors, and if we are not transparent, it will be difficult for NUPRC to operate optimally.
“Corruption tends to thrive where systems and institutional safeguards are weak,” he said.
Aliyu commended NUPRC for its performance in the ICPC Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS), describing the result as an indication of the commission’s commitment to ethical standards and institutional integrity.
He said information sharing and mutual trust were essential to effective anti corruption enforcement.
According to him, ICPC would benefit from NUPRC’s technical expertise in investigating cases involving the petroleum sector.
He also advocated stronger cooperation between the two agencies in procurement processes and efforts to curb wastage and leakages.
Earlier, Eyesan described the upstream petroleum sector as a critical source of revenue for Nigeria and stressed the need for effective regulation and strong governance to attract investment.
She said the capital intensive nature of the industry required a stable regulatory environment capable of boosting investor confidence.
Eyesan described the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as a game changer in restructuring the sector’s regulatory framework and improving the investment climate.
She said NUPRC was also working to unlock Nigeria’s gas resources while strengthening governance across upstream operations.
Eyesan disclosed that the commission was reviewing the qualification criteria for its regular bidding exercises.
She said the review followed challenges involving some indigenous operators who lacked the financial and technical capacity to develop awarded assets.
She added that disputes over some assets had also delayed their development.
Eyesan further disclosed that NUPRC would organise an on boarding programme for successful awardees in October.
She said that the commission planned to invite ICPC to the programme to sensitise operators on good governance, integrity and regulatory compliance.
Eyesan appreciated ICPC for its support and assured that NUPRC would continue to collaborate with the commission and share relevant concerns to improve its operations.
By Isaac Aregbesola
