Nigeria Named Headquarters of African Petroleum Regulators Forum, Komolafe Elected Chairman
The African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) has officially chosen Nigeria as its headquarters, signaling the country’s growing influence in Africa’s petroleum industry. In a unanimous decision, the forum also elected Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), as chairman, solidifying his leadership role after serving as interim chairman.
The announcement was made during AFRIPERF’s inaugural executive committee meeting, held virtually on December 2, 2025. Alongside Komolafe’s election, Eyoanwan Ndiyo-Aiyetan was appointed as secretary, marking the formal establishment of the forum’s leadership team. Representatives from 16 African countries attended, with eight countries ratifying the treaty to become full members with voting rights.
Engineer Komolafe emphasized the forum’s mission in his opening remarks, stating, “We are laying the foundation for a more harmonised and collaborative regulatory environment across Africa. A strong Executive Committee will help drive initiatives that promote investment, streamline regulations, and support Africa’s strategic positioning in an evolving global energy space.” His acceptance speech highlighted his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising that no member country would be left behind.
AFRIPERF’s objectives are focused on strengthening regional petroleum governance. The forum aims to harmonize regulations, enhance regulatory capacity through training, foster dialogue with industry stakeholders and international organizations, and address shared regional challenges. It also seeks to facilitate cross-border energy infrastructure development and knowledge sharing among member states.
By establishing Nigeria as its headquarters and electing Komolafe as chairman, AFRIPERF positions itself to advocate effectively for Africa in global hydrocarbon discussions. The forum will leverage collective expertise to promote sustainable energy resources, encourage investment in petroleum exploration, ensure regulatory transparency, advance ethical practices, and foster technology transfer across the continent.
source: Leadership