Centre Congratulates Komolafe on LEADERSHIP CEO of the Year Award

The West Africa Centre for Energy Policy and Reforms (WACEPR) has congratulated Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), on his emergence as LEADERSHIP Newspaper’s CEO of the Year 2025, describing him as one of Africa’s most visionary and reform-minded energy regulators. In a statement issued on Friday by […]

The West Africa Centre for Energy Policy and Reforms (WACEPR) has congratulated Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), on his emergence as LEADERSHIP Newspaper’s CEO of the Year 2025, describing him as one of Africa’s most visionary and reform-minded energy regulators.

In a statement issued on Friday by its executive director, Dr Kwabena Mensah-Ashitey, the organisation said the honour was a deserved recognition of Komolafe’s transformative impact on Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry and his exemplary record of transparency, innovation, and institution building.

Mensah-Ashitey said Komolafe’s leadership had positioned the NUPRC as a credible model of regulatory excellence, driving reforms that have strengthened investor confidence, improved revenue generation, and restored the integrity of the upstream governance framework.

“Engr. Komolafe has transformed what was once a bureaucratic regulator into a dynamic, transparent, and performance-driven institution. His focus on data integrity, technological innovation, and investor engagement has revitalised the sector and demonstrated that effective regulation can drive national prosperity,” the statement reads.

WACEPR noted that under Komolafe’s stewardship, the NUPRC surpassed its 2025 revenue targets by more than 80 percent, a milestone it described as “evidence of professional competence and fiscal discipline.”

The Centre noted that these achievements were the result of sound policy implementation and a culture of accountability that have redefined upstream petroleum management not only in Nigeria but across the West African sub-region.

“The regulatory frameworks, transparent licensing processes, and digital monitoring platforms established by NUPRC under Engr. Komolafe have become benchmarks for neighbouring countries. Several regional regulators now look to Nigeria’s model for best practices in upstream governance, investor engagement, and production optimisation,” WACEPR said.

Mensah-Ashitey further commended Komolafe’s efforts in combating crude oil theft and enforcing compliance through the “Drill or Drop” policy, which has revived dormant fields and boosted national production. He said these initiatives have inspired similar approaches in regional petroleum sectors, promoting transparency and sustainable resource management across West Africa.

“Engr. Komolafe’s leadership style combines the precision of an engineer and the discipline of a lawyer. Few regulators possess such a rare blend of technical expertise and strategic foresight,” he said.

The Centre also praised the NUPRC’s community-focused initiatives, including the operationalisation of host community development trusts and the gas flare commercialisation programme, describing them as vital steps toward social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and replicable models for the sub-region.

WACEPR noted that Komolafe’s contribution extends beyond Nigeria through his role in the Africa Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), where he has championed cross-border collaboration, harmonised standards, and knowledge-sharing across the continent.

According to WACEPR, Komolafe’s recognition as CEO of the Year symbolises “the triumph of institutional reform, merit, and accountability in Nigeria’s public service” and underscores the influence of Nigeria’s regulatory leadership on the wider West African energy landscape.

The energy think tank urged other public officials to emulate his model of ethical and visionary leadership that delivers measurable outcomes.

“With this honour, Nigeria and the sub-region celebrate a technocrat who has redefined the role of public regulators and proved that excellence in governance can be achieved through discipline, competence, and integrity,” the statement added.