The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Fee has reaffirmed its dedication to unlocking billions of {dollars} in trapped investments inside Nigeria’s oil and gasoline business by its Various Dispute Decision Centre.
The Fee Chief Government, Gbenga Komolafe, made this recognized throughout a high-level Roundtable Consultative and Sensitisation Discussion board of the ADRC held in Lagos on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Komolafe, who was represented by the Fee Secretary and Authorized Adviser, Olayemi Adeboyejo, described the ADRC as a key driver for selling peace, stability, and investor confidence throughout the upstream petroleum sector.
“The ADRC is greater than a mechanism for resolving disputes. It’s a strategic instrument for selling peace, stability, and investor confidence throughout the upstream petroleum worth chain,” he mentioned.
“We’re decided to make ADRC not a final resort, however the first selection for dispute decision in Nigeria’s oil and gasoline sector.”
In response to Komolafe, the ADRC—established underneath the Petroleum Business Act 2021—serves as a impartial and sector-specific platform designed to mediate disputes arising from upstream operations in a well timed, neutral, and cost-effective method.
He defined that since its institution, the ADRC has recorded notable milestones, together with the inauguration of its Physique of Neutrals in Lagos and Yenagoa in September 2024, and a capacity-building programme earlier this 12 months.
Komolafe mentioned the Physique of Neutrals contains revered professionals similar to legal professionals, retired judges, oil and gasoline consultants, and different specialists chosen for his or her impartiality and deep business experience.
“By the ADRC, we’re operationalising the PIA’s intent, guaranteeing that disputes are resolved amicably and effectively, preserving relationships which might be important to operational stability, funding safety, and social concord,” he said.
He famous that the ADRC has additionally performed a significant position in easing tensions between operators and host communities, providing a sustainable pathway for peaceable coexistence within the oil and gasoline business.
“Dispute prevention and early engagement are key to constructing belief. By encouraging operators, host communities, and different stakeholders to embrace ADR mechanisms early, we’re fostering a tradition of mutual respect, accountability, and collaboration,” Komolafe mentioned.
The NUPRC boss urged Common Counsel, Authorized Administrators, and company leaders to view the ADRC not merely as a regulatory initiative however as a strategic ally in governance and danger administration.
“The sustainability and effectiveness of the ADRC depend upon collaboration. Regulators, operators, host communities, and civil society should proceed to work collectively to construct belief, stop disputes, and preserve a steady working setting,” he added.
Reiterating the Fee’s broader reform agenda anchored on transparency and equity, Komolafe mentioned,
“The ADRC symbolises our perception that disagreements may be remodeled into alternatives for understanding. It’s a cornerstone of our broader reform agenda—anchored on transparency, equity, and shared prosperity. By this Centre, we’re not solely resolving disputes, but in addition reinforcing the boldness of traders and the belief of host communities within the Nigerian petroleum business.”
Talking later on the occasion, the Fee Secretary and Authorized Adviser, Olayemi Adeboyejo, careworn the significance of the ADRC within the present enterprise setting, saying Nigeria couldn’t afford to have billions of {dollars} in potential investments trapped in extended litigation.
“The ADRC was due to this fact conceived as a strategic de-bottlenecking mechanism—an environment friendly, confidential, and cost-effective various to litigation,” she mentioned.
The sensitisation discussion board introduced collectively individuals from Worldwide Oil Firms, unbiased producers, the Petroleum Know-how Affiliation of Nigeria, Host Neighborhood Improvement Trusts, and different business stakeholders to debate the Centre’s processes, features, and adoption pathways.