Nigeria Emerges as Permanent Headquarters of AFRIPERF as NUPRC CEO Gbenga Komolafe Appointed Chairman
The African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), a coalition of oil and gas regulatory authorities across Africa, has selected Nigeria as its permanent headquarters and appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, as its substantive chairman.
The decision was reached during AFRIPERF’s inaugural Executive Committee meeting, which was held virtually on December 2, 2025. This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by NUPRC’s Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu.
According to the statement, Komolafe had previously served as interim chairman of the forum before his formal confirmation. The meeting also confirmed the appointment of Eyoanwan Ndiyo-Aiyetan as AFRIPERF’s Secretary.
The selection of Nigeria as the forum’s headquarters underscores the country’s leadership role in petroleum regulation and reinforces its position as Africa’s largest crude oil producer.
The meeting was attended by representatives from 16 African countries and focused on key institutional decisions, including the appointment of the leadership team, the designation of a permanent headquarters, and the adoption of the forum’s official logo.
In his opening remarks, Komolafe emphasized the importance of a strong and effective Executive Committee in advancing AFRIPERF’s mandate.
He highlighted the need for coordinated regulatory frameworks that can attract investment and harmonize petroleum regulatory practices across the continent.
“We are laying the foundation for a more coordinated and collaborative regulatory environment across Africa. A committed Executive Committee will play a critical role in promoting investment, improving regulatory efficiency, and strengthening Africa’s standing in the global energy market,” he said.
The statement further noted that eight of the 16 participating countries have ratified the AFRIPERF treaty, granting them full membership status and voting rights within the forum.
In his acceptance speech, Komolafe expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him by fellow regulators and pledged to ensure that all member countries derive tangible benefits from the forum’s activities.
AFRIPERF was established to strengthen petroleum governance across Africa through enhanced cooperation and coordination among regulatory authorities.
Its objectives include harmonizing regulatory standards, building institutional capacity through training and knowledge sharing, fostering engagement with industry stakeholders and international partners, and addressing shared regional challenges.
The forum also aims to promote cross-border energy infrastructure development, facilitate technology transfer, encourage best regulatory practices, and present a unified African perspective in global energy dialogues.
Through collective expertise, AFRIPERF seeks to attract investment into petroleum exploration, ensure transparent and ethical oversight of the sector, and support the sustainable development of Africa’s energy resources.
