President Bola Tinubu has extended birthday congratulations to Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, the pioneer Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and interim Chairman of the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF).

In a statement released by the Statehouse on Thursday, President Tinubu joined Komolafe’s family, friends, and NUPRC staff in celebrating his career in Nigeria’s oil sector, which spans 35 years. The President acknowledged Komolafe’s journey from humble beginnings in Igbara Oke, Ondo State, to leadership roles in the industry, describing his professional path as “characterised by innovation and excellence.”

Komolafe’s career includes service as Executive Director (Commercial) at the Pipelines and Petroleum Marketing Company (PPMC) and as Group General Manager of the Crude Oil Marketing Division at the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. As head of NUPRC, he has overseen initiatives to increase oil production to meet OPEC quotas, reduce oil losses to a 16-year low, and lower gas flaring to 7.16%, while raising daily gas production to 7.59 billion standard cubic feet (BSCFD).

The President highlighted that under Komolafe’s leadership, the NUPRC has issued 24 regulatory reforms, with 19 gazetted to operationalise provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act. These include the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Measurement Regulations and the Advanced Cargo Declaration Regulation, which aim to strengthen monitoring and accountability in upstream operations.

President Tinubu also noted the Commission’s adoption of computerised and competitive licensing rounds, which the Nigerian Extractive Industry Initiative (NEITI) has recognised for transparency and efficiency.

“As Engineer Komolafe turns 62, we look forward to more accomplishments in the oil sector and pray that God will grant him strength, wisdom, and fulfilment as he continues his service to Nigeria,” the statement concluded.