By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria’s petroleum sector, particularly the upstream segment, remains the backbone of the nation’s economy, generating the bulk of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. However, the sector has historically faced challenges including opacity, regulatory gaps, revenue leakages, security risks such as oil theft and pipeline vandalism, and environmental concerns. In recent years, bold reforms under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, coupled with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021, have enhanced governance structures, improved transparency, and attracted renewed investor confidence. Yet, sustaining these gains requires collaborative engagement among government agencies, lawmakers, regulators, civil society, and industry operators to ensure responsible management, equitable revenue distribution, and adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
Against this backdrop, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) organized a one-day Legislative Stakeholders Workshop in Abuja on Monday, December 1, 2025, themed “Synergy for a Transparent and Accountable Upstream Petroleum Sector.” The workshop, aimed at fostering collaboration and strengthening governance in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, brought together legislators, regulators, operators, civil society actors, and anti-corruption agencies for robust dialogue on transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in upstream petroleum operations.
In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of the FRC, Victor Muruako, Esq., highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in promoting fiscal discipline and sustainable resource management. He acknowledged the leadership of the Rt. Honourable Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), and his members, for their instrumental role in facilitating the workshop. Muruako emphasized that the FRC’s mandate, enshrined in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, prioritizes transparency and accountability across all tiers of government, and that the workshop provides a strategic platform to reflect on the challenges and progress of the upstream sector.
Muruako further noted that meaningful stakeholder engagement is critical to achieving efficiency and sustainable practices in the sector, particularly amid global energy transitions and evolving regulatory frameworks. The workshop, he said, would examine the existing legal and institutional arrangements, highlight best practices for transparency and accountability, and foster closer collaboration among all stakeholders to achieve national objectives. A key feature of the deliberations was the presentation of a Policy Brief on the 10th Assembly’s Legislative Governance of the Petroleum Sector, which identifies gaps in existing laws and proposes actionable solutions to strengthen revenue transparency and governance.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, OON, Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), commended the FRC for convening the workshop, emphasizing the critical role of strategic partnerships in advancing oversight and accountability. He noted that strong governance structures are essential to close revenue leakages, safeguard economic interests, and enhance investor confidence. Hon. Doguwa also highlighted the ongoing legislative efforts of the Committee, including work on a Bill to establish the National Commission for the Decommissioning of Oil and Gas Installations, aimed at addressing aging infrastructure, safety, and environmental restoration challenges.
Both speakers underscored that this workshop represents a timely and important forum for exchanging practical ideas, fostering transparency, and reinforcing fiscal responsibility in the upstream petroleum sector. Participants were encouraged to engage constructively, share expertise, and contribute to shaping policies that ensure the sustainable management of Nigeria’s critical oil and gas resources.
The workshop thus marked a significant step in strengthening synergy among legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and civil society, reflecting Nigeria’s continued commitment to transparent, accountable, and responsible governance of its upstream petroleum sector.
