The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has received commendation for its efforts in enforcing transparency and institutional accountability, following a House of Representatives directive to OML18 Resources Limited to remit $4.02 million to the Federation Account.

OML18 Resources, previously known as Sahara Field Production Ltd., was cited by NUPRC as one of 45 oil and gas companies owing the government a cumulative $1.7 billion in outstanding royalties, gas flare penalties, and other liabilities. The development followed an audit report presented by NUPRC to the House Committee on Public Accounts.

At a resumed hearing on Wednesday chaired by Bamidele Salam, the committee ordered the company to pay 20 percent of its confirmed debt within five days and reconcile the full balance within a fortnight. According to NUPRC’s submission, OML18 Resources owes $17.37 million in crude oil royalties, $2.86 million in gas flare penalties, and N173.7 million in gas sales revenue. These figures were reportedly acknowledged by the company during the session.

Dr. Halima Isa Lawal, Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency in Natural Resources (CFTNR), lauded the Commission’s role in enforcing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), describing it as a turning point for accountability in the upstream sector.

“NUPRC’s actions are proof that the reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act are taking root. For years, Nigeria struggled with weak oversight and opaque revenue tracking in the upstream sector. Today, we are beginning to see a new era of regulatory assertiveness,” Lawal said in a statement issued on Saturday.

She stressed that beyond the recovery of outstanding funds, the move sends a clear message to industry operators that statutory obligations will be enforced. Lawal described NUPRC’s approach as data-driven and praised its leadership under Chief Executive Gbenga Komolafe for championing sector-wide compliance free from political interference.

“Under Engr. Komolafe’s leadership, NUPRC has shown that it is possible to uphold the rule of law in Nigeria’s most critical revenue-generating industry,” she added. “The clarity, professionalism, and urgency with which the Commission is addressing outstanding liabilities deserve commendation.”

With over 70 percent of government revenue reliant on the oil and gas sector, Lawal stressed that Nigeria can no longer afford revenue leakages. She called for deeper collaboration among regulators, lawmakers, and civil society to strengthen oversight and drive systemic reform.

“In a time of economic hardship and budgetary constraints, Nigeria simply cannot afford leakages in a sector that accounts for over 70 percent of government revenue,” she noted.

Lawal urged the National Assembly to maintain support for regulatory bodies such as NUPRC, highlighting the importance of independence and timely implementation of audit findings. She also commended the House Committee on Public Accounts for taking decisive steps on the matter.

“Their collaboration with NUPRC in scrutinising these debts has proven effective, and we encourage similar action across other sectors,” she said. “Let this signal a new era where rules are enforced, not ignored; where compliance is rewarded, and where failure to meet statutory obligations attracts swift penalties.”

As the PIA continues to reshape Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, stakeholders say the enforcement of transparency measures by regulators like NUPRC will be essential to restoring investor confidence and ensuring long-term economic resilience.

Lawal concluded by urging other operators in the sector to audit their own books and engage proactively with regulators. “Transparency is no longer optional — it is the future of Nigeria’s extractive sector,” she said.