Pan African Parliament Hails Nigeria As Africa’s Petroleum Reform Trailblazer

According to Ireporter Online, the Pan African Parliament (PAP) has lauded Nigeria for its significant achievements in reforming the petroleum sector, describing the country’s upstream policies as a model for the continent.

The commendation followed the conclusion of a fourteen-day special syndicate meeting of West African parliamentarians in Johannesburg, focused on African resource management and the development of a continental model law. PAP members highlighted Nigeria’s consistent and faithful implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 as a practical blueprint that other African oil-producing nations should emulate.

During the meeting, delegates resolved to accelerate the drafting of a Model Law on Natural Resource Governance, frequently citing Nigeria’s transparent and investment-friendly licensing regime as a key reference point. Official data indicates that Nigeria has exceeded 1.7 million barrels of oil per day in 2025, overcoming a decade-long period of stagnation caused by security challenges, operational setbacks, and investor hesitation.

The country is now on track to reach its long-term production goal of 2.5 million barrels per day by 2026. With nearly 70 active rigs— the highest in almost ten years— and substantial investor interest, the upstream sector is experiencing its strongest performance in years.

This resurgence has been driven by multi-billion-dollar Final Investment Decisions, approvals of Field Development Plans totaling around $20 billion in the past ten months, and strict enforcement of the PIA’s “drill or drop” policy, which has revitalized idle discoveries for immediate development.

Nigeria has also transitioned from irregular, opaque bid rounds to annual licensing cycles, ensuring greater predictability for investors. The 2025 licensing round, set to open on December 1, is expected to be one of the most strategically significant since the PIA’s enactment, offering 24 onshore, shallow-water, and deep-offshore blocks, with a focus on natural gas in line with energy-transition goals and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Senegalese PAP member Massamba Dieng told journalists that Nigeria’s achievements over the past five years represent a revolutionary model for Africa. He noted that the disciplined enforcement of licensing reforms and recovery of stranded assets has positioned Nigeria as the continent’s most attractive upstream destination, a framework West African nations intend to replicate.

Gambian PAP member Hon. Salifu Jawo added that Nigeria’s influence extends across the continent through its leadership of the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) under Engr. Gbenga Komolafe. The forum is providing smaller oil-producing countries with practical guidance on designing regulatory frameworks to attract investment and maximize resource value.

As PAP moves to finalize a continent-wide Model Law on Resource Management, members agreed that Nigeria’s transformation—from near-collapse to renewed momentum under the PIA, and through its AFRIPERF leadership—will serve as a cornerstone for the historic legislation.