Energy sector lawyers have called on the National Assembly to amend the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to eliminate overlapping responsibilities between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The lawyers warned that the current regulatory framework could discourage investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The call was made during the 2026 NMDPRA General Counsel and Legal Advisers Forum, where legal experts and industry stakeholders assessed the implementation of the PIA and discussed ways to improve regulatory efficiency.
The lawyers argued that the duplication of responsibilities between the two regulators has created uncertainty for operators and investors, making it difficult to achieve the objectives of the landmark petroleum legislation.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Abimbola Ademola, described the Petroleum Industry Act as requiring urgent legislative review, noting that several of its provisions no longer align with current industry realities or international best practices.
He identified the overlapping mandates of the NMDPRA and the NUPRC as one of the law’s most significant shortcomings, urging lawmakers to clearly define the statutory roles of both agencies to prevent conflicts and improve regulatory coordination.
Another energy lawyer, Akin Oladimeji, also advocated stronger collaboration between the two regulators, particularly in revenue administration and policy implementation.
He expressed concern that regulations are often issued without adequate reflection of stakeholders’ contributions during consultation processes, creating uncertainty for operators.
According to him, inconsistent regulatory implementation and legal ambiguities could weaken investor confidence and discourage further investments in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Speaking at the forum, the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to promoting a transparent, predictable and investor-friendly regulatory environment.
He said the Authority would continue working with industry stakeholders to strengthen compliance, improve regulatory clarity and support the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act.
Also speaking, the Authority Secretary and Legal Adviser of the NMDPRA, Joseph Tolorunse, urged regulators to adopt emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve oversight, while encouraging operators to uphold ethical business practices and comply with regulatory requirements.