The African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) has officially designated Nigeria as its headquarters and elected Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), as its chairman. This decision was made at the Forum’s inaugural executive committee meeting, held virtually on 2 December 2025. Engineer Komolafe, who previously served as interim chairman of AFRIPERF, will now lead the organization in its efforts to strengthen regional petroleum governance.
The meeting, attended by representatives from 16 African countries, aimed to establish the Forum’s leadership, headquarters, and logo. In addition to Engineer Komolafe’s election, Eyoanwan Ndiyo‑Aiyetan, Senior Manager of International Relations at the NUPRC, was appointed secretary of AFRIPERF. This development underscores Nigeria’s significant role in the African petroleum regulatory landscape, given its position as the continent’s largest crude‑oil producer.
AFRIPERF seeks to foster collaboration, cooperation, and coordination among its member regulators, with the goal of enhancing regional petroleum governance. In his acceptance speech, Engineer Komolafe expressed gratitude to his African counterparts for the trust they have placed in him and pledged to ensure that no member country is left behind in the Forum’s endeavors. The establishment of AFRIPERF’s headquarters in Nigeria is expected to facilitate the organization’s objectives, which include promoting effective regulation and best practices in the petroleum sector. As the Forum moves forward under Engineer Komolafe’s leadership, it aims to advance these goals across the region.
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