Diaspora Group Applaud Tinubu, Komolafe for Oil Sector Overhaul

Diaspora-based Nigerian organisations have expressed strong support for President Bola Tinubu and Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), over sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s oil sector.

In a statement released on Monday, David Matthew Akpambu, Global President of the coalition, described the recently concluded 2024 Oil Block Licensing Round as a game-changer. He highlighted the full compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and praised the process for setting a new benchmark in transparency through its fully digital and encrypted bidding format.

“This is the first time Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has witnessed a completely digital and point-based commercial bid evaluation,” Akpambu noted. “It’s a bold step forward that gives the global Nigerian community confidence in our country's resource governance.”

The groups praised the public nature of the bid phase broadcast live with oversight from agencies like the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the Federal Ministry of Finance—stressing that the digital structure eliminated human interference and ensured instant, credible results.

They also applauded the inclusion of both established operators and credible new entrants, calling it a positive shift from past opaque practices. According to the statement, the prequalification process, which assessed bidders on technical and financial merit, is key to protecting national resources from mismanagement.

Gbenga Komolafe was credited for transforming the NUPRC into a globally respected regulatory body. His leadership, the group said, has restored investor confidence and placed Nigeria at the forefront of regulatory best practices in Africa’s energy landscape.

The coalition encouraged other Nigerian institutions to adopt similar digital reforms. “This is a wake-up call,” the statement concluded. “Digital innovation is the path to efficient governance, stronger investor relations, and sustainable development.”