Nigeria’s Energy Sector Reborn: Scholar Hails Tinubu’s Reforms as Nation Nears Petroleum Export Status

Energy governance expert, Prof. Josiah Danladi, has said Nigeria is steadily transitioning from a net importer to a potential net exporter of refined petroleum products, thanks to sweeping reforms in the oil and gas industry.

Speaking at the Citizens Connect Conference in Lagos, Danladi commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a “bold and transformative recalibration” of the energy sector — one anchored on transparency, accountability, and data-driven governance.

“For decades, the oil and gas sector reflected both our promise and our pain — marred by corruption, inefficiency, and lost opportunities. But today, a new chapter is unfolding — one of reform, renewal, and restoration,” he stated in a release on Saturday.

He credited the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), led by Gbenga Komolafe, for driving the reforms that have boosted investor confidence and strengthened national revenue under Tinubu’s leadership.

“Under the Tinubu administration, the sector has been reborn on the solid foundation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). What we see today is not luck, but leadership — deliberate, structured, and data-driven,” Danladi said.

He revealed that the NUPRC has generated over ₦12.25 trillion in revenue for the federation within two years — a record he attributed to stronger monitoring systems and improved enforcement.

“The Commission’s performance demonstrates what happens when political will meets professional excellence,” he added.

Danladi also described the fuel subsidy removal as one of the administration’s most far-reaching policies, noting that it has led to a 200 per cent increase in allocations to states and local governments, funding critical road, hospital, and power projects, as well as the student loan scheme and higher NYSC allowances.

He further highlighted that dormant oil blocks are being reactivated, production reporting has gone electronic, and compliance monitoring is more transparent than ever before.

“The era of discretionary approvals and rent-seeking is giving way to process, predictability, and performance,” he said.

On the gas sector, Danladi commended the administration’s push to make natural gas a transition fuel for sustainable growth through the Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, which is converting environmental liabilities into economic opportunities.

“These are not abstract policies — they are the building blocks of a transparent and sustainable energy future happening under President Tinubu’s watch,” he affirmed, adding that the PIA has redefined relationships between government, oil companies, and host communities for long-term stability.