Policy analysts and energy sector experts have praised the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). This follows new records revealing the commission generated an impressive ₦8.79 trillion for the Federation Account. The substantial sum was accumulated between January and October 2025. This performance is a direct result of tightened administrative and fiscal controls. Increased enforcement and a more assertive regulatory approach by the NUPRC also contributed significantly. These actions align perfectly with the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The total remittance stands at ₦8,795,528,705,538.82. It reflects contributions from several key areas.

Key Revenue Highlights for the Federation Account

October Collection: NUPRC remitted ₦873.10 billion in October alone. This marked a 17.67% rise from September’s ₦741.99 billion.
Royalty Receivables: Over ₦1.02 trillion came from NNPC Joint Venture (JV) and Production Sharing Contract (PSC) royalty receivables.
Project Gazelle: ₦835.69 billion was sourced from Project Gazelle receipts. These amounts were received for November 2024 and parts of 2025.

Despite this strong performance, October’s collections reached 72.47% of the ₦1.204 trillion monthly budget. This indicates persistent challenges within the sector. These include low output, infrastructure limitations, and the ongoing issue of crude oil theft. The Commission, however, recorded robust month-on-month improvements across its key statutory revenue streams.

Oil and Gas Royalties: NUPRC collected ₦807.08 billion in October. This represents a notable increase from the September figures.
Rental Income: Rental income saw a 65% rise, showcasing improved management.
Gas Flare Penalties: Penalties for gas flaring surpassed budgeted targets by 105.52%. This highlights more effective enforcement measures.

Expert Perspectives on NUPRC’s Performance

Experts have identified crucial areas where NUPRC’s leadership has driven this financial turnaround. Dr. Ifeanyi Okonkwo, a public affairs analyst and former National Assembly adviser, stated that the latest revenue figures reflect deliberate tightening of administrative and fiscal controls. “These numbers show that NUPRC, under Komolafe, has embraced the discipline the upstream sector lacked for years,” he noted. “There is now clear commitment to transparency, monthly reconciliation, and closing historical leakages. The regulator is no longer timid. It understands its mandate and is determined to enforce it, sustaining high remittances despite fluctuating production.” Energy economist Dr. Hauwa Ibrahim described the performance as a reassuring signal. This is especially true given a difficult year for the global oil market. “The October numbers demonstrate that a disciplined regulatory framework can deliver strong outcomes,” she explained. “This is possible even within a constrained production environment. We are seeing the early emergence of structural stability in the upstream sector. This is driven by firmer compliance systems and a more assertive regulatory posture.” She added that “when a regulator provides clarity, consistency, and predictable enforcement, the entire value chain becomes more resilient. NUPRC is moving in that direction.” Petroleum engineer Engr. Mike Osamudiamen highlighted the commission’s handling of inherited NNPC indebtedness. He called it one of the most significant interventions in the industry this year. “For decades, Nigeria’s upstream fiscal environment was muddied by unresolved obligations and opaque accounting,” he said. “By bringing clarity and writing off legally extinguished obligations, Komolafe has restored credibility to the federation’s financial records. This certainty is vital for government planning, operators, investors, and auditors.” He stressed the need for “sustained vigilance, tighter monitoring of production volumes, accurate measurement systems, and uncompromising royalty compliance” to protect this momentum.