In a significant recognition of Nigeria's ongoing energy sector reforms, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, has been honored with the prestigious Global Sustainable Leadership Award.
A Prestigious Honor at the House of Lords
The award was presented during the 2025 Global Sustainable Education and Leadership (G-SEL) Conference held at the historic House of Lords, Palace of Westminster in London. This two-day international gathering brought together senior policymakers, business executives, and diplomats from across the globe to highlight exceptional leadership in sustainability and governance.
Organizers stated that Komolafe's recognition celebrates his transformational leadership in driving reforms under Nigeria's Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and for successfully positioning the country as a credible, transparent, and competitive energy destination on the global stage.
Tangible Results Under Komolafe's Leadership
Since assuming office, Engr. Komolafe has championed comprehensive regulatory transformation within Nigeria's vital oil and gas sector. The impact of his leadership is clearly demonstrated by remarkable operational improvements.
Most notably, under his watch, Nigeria's rig count has experienced an extraordinary surge—jumping from just eight operational rigs in 2021 to 69 rigs as of October 2025, representing an increase of more than 760 percent.
The Commission's financial performance has been equally impressive, consistently exceeding government revenue targets with documented surpluses of 18.3% in 2022, 14.6% in 2023, and a remarkable 84.2% in 2024.
This Award Belongs to Nigeria
In his acceptance speech, Komolafe dedicated the international honor to the Nigerian people, describing it as a reflection of their collective resilience and the government's unwavering commitment to sectoral reform.
"This award belongs to Nigeria," Komolafe declared. "It recognizes the courage and faith that drive our reforms in the upstream oil and gas sector. We are building a transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly system that reflects our national values and global aspirations."
The NUPRC chief emphasized that his Commission's strategy rests on three fundamental pillars—transparency, competitiveness, and sustainability—while actively supporting Nigeria's broader energy transition agenda.
"We are not only regulating production," Komolafe added. "We are shaping the future of energy in Africa by ensuring that Nigeria remains a reliable supplier, a fair regulator, and a responsible global partner."
Nigeria's Growing Global Energy Influence
The G-SEL London Conference 2025, themed "The Intersection of Innovation, Sustainability, and Equity for Energy Access," served as a crucial global dialogue platform for discussing the future of energy and inclusive growth.
Komolafe was honored alongside other distinguished global leaders including Angela Wilkinson of the World Energy Council, Jason Jackson (Mayor of Islington), Riad Meddeb from UNDP, Alex Wachira from Kenya's Ministry of Energy, and Dr. Morie Manyeh, Sierra Leone's High Commissioner to the UK.
This international recognition solidifies Nigeria's growing global reputation for regulatory integrity and sustainable energy reform, reinforcing the country's emergence as a credible voice shaping Africa's energy transition narrative on the world stage.
