The Centre for Energy Reforms (CER) has expressed optimism that the appointment of Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) will strengthen the regulator’s performance and restore confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

In a statement issued on Friday, CER’s executive director, Dr Michael Bulus, said Eyesan’s emergence comes at a critical period for the upstream sector, which requires stable leadership, regulatory clarity and renewed investor confidence to fully realise the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Bulus described Eyesan as a seasoned industry professional with more than three decades of experience spanning strategy, regulation and commercial negotiations, noting that her background positions her to effectively steer the commission.

“The Centre for Energy Reforms believes that Ms Eyesan brings the right blend of institutional memory, technical competence and strategic vision required to take the NUPRC to greater heights,” Bulus said.

According to him, the upstream sector remains central to Nigeria’s economic stability, adding that the success of the PIA largely depends on the capacity of institutions such as the NUPRC to implement the law in a predictable, transparent and investor-friendly manner.

He said Eyesan’s early focus on stakeholder engagement, efficiency and performance points to a shift towards outcomes-driven regulation that could help address long-standing industry challenges, including declining production, underinvestment and infrastructure constraints.

“From her career trajectory, Ms Eyesan understands the language of investors, operators, policymakers and host communities. That ability to balance competing interests is essential if Nigeria is to unlock new investments, grow gas development and stabilise crude oil production,” Bulus said.

The energy think tank also welcomed the new chief executive’s emphasis on digitisation and operational efficiency, noting that regulatory delays and opacity have historically discouraged investment in the sector.

Bulus further urged the commission to prioritise institutional capacity building, stressing that a strong regulator depends on the technical depth and professionalism of its workforce.

He called on industry operators, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support the new NUPRC leadership, saying collective cooperation is necessary for regulatory reforms to succeed.

The Centre said Eyesan’s appointment offers an opportunity to consolidate reforms under the PIA and reposition Nigeria’s upstream sector for sustainable growth, transparency and long-term resilience.