The West African Centre for Oil Governance has called on member states of the African Regulatory Forum to give Nigeria its full support, arguing that a unified platform will boost energy security and investor confidence across the continent. This appeal follows the election of Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, as chairman of the Forum, which brings together petroleum regulators from across Africa. Komolafe’s appointment is viewed as a major step toward regional energy integration and regulatory cohesion.
According to the Centre, the development underscores Nigeria’s rising stature as a leader in shaping Africa’s energy future and marks a new phase in harmonising petroleum regulatory frameworks. The African Regulatory Forum elected Komolafe as chairman during an executive committee meeting, at which Nigeria was also designated the Forum’s official headquarters. This dual endorsement highlights Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest oil producer and its commitment to transparent, modern regulatory practices.
The Centre believes Komolafe will provide clarity, structure and foresight, enabling African regulators to act as a united, capable, and strategically aligned bloc amid shifting global energy dynamics and rapid technological disruption. It notes that African countries are working to standardise petroleum regulations, share data, strengthen local‑content frameworks and engage more effectively with international energy markets. As host of the Forum’s headquarters, Nigeria is expected to share its extensive regulatory experience, technical expertise and institutional memory in upstream petroleum governance with other West African nations.
The Centre has urged the African Regulatory Forum to prioritise capacity‑building and address structural gaps that impede effective supervision of upstream operations in many African states. Komolafe’s chairmanship is expected to drive reforms that give African regulators a stronger collective voice on issues such as energy‑transition financing, investment security, emissions standards and cross‑border infrastructure. The West African Centre for Oil Governance is confident that his tenure will usher in an era where African regulators operate as a coordinated bloc, defending the continent’s interests and promoting sustainable development.
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