BusinessMetrics, an independent industry performance evaluator, says the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is delivering sustained progress in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), with reforms that are strengthening investor confidence, deepening transparency and repositioning the upstream industry for long-term growth.

In a statement released on Monday, BusinessMetrics said its latest sector review shows that NUPRC’s regulatory measures over the last year “reflect a deliberate shift toward predictable, technology-driven and investment-friendly governance,” noting that these improvements are already reshaping Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global energy market.

According to the statement, one of the Commission’s most significant achievements is the rapid digitisation of oversight systems that monitor production, metering accuracy, fiscal obligations and environmental performance.

BusinessMetrics said these digital tools have “reduced reporting delays, improved data integrity and enhanced the global credibility of Nigeria’s upstream statistics”.

“The availability of reliable, real-time data is one of the strongest indicators of a trustworthy investment climate,” the organisation said.

“NUPRC’s digital reforms are raising confidence among operators and international financiers who rely on transparent information before committing capital to new field developments.”

The evaluator also noted improvements in licensing and regulatory approval processes, describing the Commission’s approach as more structured, rules-based and commercially coherent compared to previous years.

“Clearer timelines for approvals, structured consultations with operators and the alignment of regulatory decisions with PIA provisions have created a more efficient operating environment,” the firm said.

“This is enabling quicker movement on projects, reducing administrative bottlenecks and giving investors greater clarity on regulatory expectations.”

The organisation said fiscal clarity under the PIA, implemented through NUPRC, has equally enhanced the attractiveness of Nigeria’s upstream assets, leading to renewed activity around marginal fields, reactivation of dormant licences and fresh commitments from both indigenous and international operators.

“The fiscal certainty introduced by the PIA continues to incentivise capital deployment. We are seeing a gradual resurgence in upstream investment appetite, driven by the clarity and predictability that investors have long demanded,” the statement added.

On gas development and decarbonisation, BusinessMetrics commended NUPRC’s enforcement of domestic gas delivery obligations and its frameworks for flare-gas commercialisation, saying these efforts are opening new growth corridors for Nigeria’s energy transition.

“The Commission’s work in gas monetisation is particularly impactful. It supports industrial expansion, contributes to power stability and positions gas as a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation,” the statement added.

The evaluator further highlighted progress in customer-facing reforms, including the strengthening of the One-Stop Regulatory Centre, which it described as a crucial tool for reducing red tape and improving the ease of doing business in the upstream sector.

“This approach aligns with global best practices and signals institutional willingness to reduce friction for investors,” BusinessMetrics noted.

While acknowledging the complexity of Nigeria’s upstream environment, the organisation said the Commission’s consistent delivery on its mandate is helping restore confidence in the sector.

“With sustained implementation of the PIA, Nigeria is better positioned to compete for global capital, increase production capacity and advance long-term energy security,” the organisation said.

BusinessMetrics concluded that NUPRC’s progress “sets a solid foundation for deeper reforms” and urged continued institutional discipline, innovation and investor-focused regulation to fully unlock Nigeria’s upstream potential.

The Ambassadors for Peace and Progress (APP) has appealed to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to forgive the five individuals who publicly confessed to running a N500 million smear campaign against him while he was governor of Zamfara State.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the National Coordinator of the group, Rev. Matthew Adejoh, urged the minister not to allow the painful betrayal to distract him from the critical national assignment entrusted to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We followed with deep emotion the courageous confession made by Comrade Aryan Abdul Kareem and his colleagues. Their admission has exposed the depth of political desperation in Zamfara State, but it has also opened a rare door for healing and reconciliation,” Rev. Adejoh said.

Describing Dr. Matawalle as “a peaceful, kind and large-hearted leader who is a friend to everyone,” the cleric appealed to him to extend the same hand of fellowship he has always shown to people of all faiths.

“Dr. Bello Matawalle is known across the North as a man who builds bridges, not walls,” he said. Quoting Colossians 3:13, he added: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

“These young men have fallen on their knees in public and begged for mercy. As believers and as patriots, we plead with His Excellency to forgive them and everyone who was paid to destroy his name.

The bandits ravaging our region do not read sponsored articles — they only respect superior resolve and unity of purpose.”

The Ambassadors praised President Tinubu for appointing Matawalle, saying the elevation was divine recompense for years of wicked blackmail.

“Your enemies spent over half a billion naira to pull you down, yet Allah raised you to the very centre of Nigeria’s war against terror. Let this confession be the final burial of that evil plot,” Rev. Adejoh declared.

While calling on the EFCC, ICPC and security agencies to immediately investigate the allegation that Zamfara State funds were used to sponsor media attacks, the group insisted that Dr. Matawalle himself should choose the path of forgiveness.

“Let justice run its full course, but let our dear Minister show the maturity, kindness and large-heartedness that made President Tinubu bring him to Abuja. Forgive them, Your Excellency. Focus all your energy on helping Mr. President end insecurity forever. That is the greatest victory.”

The Arewa young Lawyers Forum has condemned in strong terms the alleged unlawful and detention of Barrister Muhuyi Magaji, by the Nigerian police.

In a statement signed by Umar Abdullahi Chiroma,the Chairman, ST Yshaya and Hamza N Dantani, on behalf of the body of young legal practitioners, from the 19 Northern States under the Arewa Young Lawyers Forum, condemned what they described as the unlawful arrest and detention of Muhuyi, the former Chairman of the Kano state public Complaint and the Anti- Corruption Commission by heavily armed policemen deployed from Abuja to Kano state , who whisked him away from his Law firm in a suspicious circumstances.
” The forum condemned the way Muhuyi Magaji, was whisked away from his Law firm in a manner reminiscent of a Gestapo operation”

According to the group” the alleged offence for which Muhuyi, a member of the Arewa Young Lawyers Forum was arrested is currently pending before a competent Court of law and it is therefore sub judice .

The group noted that ” the police is fully aware that it cannot constitutionally usurp the power of the Court as guaranteed in Section 6( 6) ( b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ( as amended), by purporting to investigate a matter under judicial
determination ” it opined .

” Such conduct strikes at the heart of the doctrine of the separation of powers and the supremacy of the Constitution “
The group observed.
Continue it stated that ” in the case of Kalu Vs FRN ( 2014), 1 NWLR ( PT 1389), 479, the Court held amongst other things that there must not be interference with the administration of justice when a matter is pending before a competent Court of Law”

The Forum averred that ” the action been questioned against Muhuyi were statutory functions, lawfully and dutifully carried out in the course of his service as a public servant pursuant to section 9 of the public Complaint and Anti- Corruption Commission “
” It’s dangerous precedent for any society to begin to criminalise of a public , for act done in good faith pursuant to their statutory mandate” it warms
The expressed concern about the heavily armed police officers sent to arrest Muhuyi saying,

” Even more disturbing is the manner of his arrest . A legal practitioner, minister in the temple of justice was by arrested by heavily armed officers , accompanied by five Vans as though he was a violent criminals, bandit or a kidnapper”

The group also condemned the brazen deploy of excesses in the arrest of a lawyer while admonishing the police authorities not reduce itself to instruments of oppression.
” The rules of law must be preserved, especially for one who has served the public within the confines of the law should not be subjected to such degrading treatment ‘
The group appeal to the inspector General of police , Mr. Kayode Egbetokun to investigate the role of the police in the unlawful arrest and detention of Muhuyi and release him in the interest of justice.