In a significant development for Nigeria's public sector, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has clinched the top position in the 2025 ethics and integrity compliance evaluation conducted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
NUPRC Emerges as Top-Performing Public Institution
The ICPC's comprehensive assessment covered 357 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) across the nation. The evaluation scrutinized internal controls, organizational policies, and adherence to statutory mandates. While thirteen institutions were flagged as high corruption risk, highlighting ongoing governance challenges, the NUPRC distinguished itself by achieving the highest score of 91.83 percent.
This performance placed the oil and gas regulator ahead of other well-rated agencies like the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). For a sector regulator often under intense public and investor scrutiny, this result marks a standout achievement.
Leadership and Reforms Credited for Success
The Energy Accountability and Governance Network (EAGN) was quick to react, describing the ranking as a strong validation of the reforms implemented under the leadership of the Commission's Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe. According to the advocacy group, the outcome was not accidental but the direct result of a deliberate shift in leadership focus.
In a statement, EAGN's Executive Director, Dr. Abdulrahman Sadiq, emphasized that Komolafe's tenure prioritized building robust systems over personality-driven operations. Key reforms included strengthening compliance mechanisms, tightening internal audit processes, and clearly demarcating regulatory authority from discretionary influence.
"The ICPC ranking is the product of a leadership that prioritised accountability, process integrity and strict compliance with the law," Dr. Sadiq stated. He added that this independent assessment effectively counters narratives that had previously questioned the transparency of the commission's operations.
A Positive Signal for Global Energy Investors
Beyond domestic recognition, the top integrity score carries substantial weight for Nigeria's economic prospects, particularly in the critical upstream oil and gas sector. EAGN noted that regulatory certainty and ethical governance are paramount factors for international investors making long-term capital allocation decisions.
By securing this ranking, the NUPRC enhances Nigeria's credibility in the highly competitive global market for energy exploration and production investment. A transparent and predictable regulatory environment is seen as essential for revenue optimization and sustainable sector growth.
The group, however, issued a call for continuity. While commending the past leadership, EAGN urged the current management of the NUPRC to preserve and build upon the established governance systems. It warned that any reversal of these standards could erode hard-won investor confidence and diminish the regulator's effectiveness.
"It is important that the current management preserves the integrity systems already in place. The upstream petroleum sector requires a strong and transparent regulator to achieve long-term stability," Sadiq concluded.
The ICPC explained that its Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard, supported by an Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units effectiveness index, aims to promote ethical conduct, strengthen oversight, and set clear benchmarks for public sector accountability across Nigeria.
