The Senate has opened a major push to resolve the regulatory turf war between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), amid growing concerns that overlapping mandates could deter investment and slow growth in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
Determined to end years of uncertainty, the Senate Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector convened a five-day strategic retreat in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, bringing together key regulators, industry operators and stakeholders to chart a path toward a more coherent regulatory framework.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, said the Senate’s intervention is aimed at eliminating institutional friction, strengthening investor confidence and ensuring that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry operates under clear and predictable rules.
He noted that recurring disputes over regulatory authority have created avoidable tensions within the sector, making it imperative for lawmakers to facilitate dialogue and establish a framework that guarantees cooperation rather than competition among agencies.
“This retreat is an opportunity for all stakeholders to openly address the issues arising from overlapping mandates and work towards practical solutions that will enhance regulatory efficiency and sectoral stability,” Sumaila said.
According to him, the committee will thoroughly review submissions from all parties, assess areas of legal ambiguity and determine whether legislative amendments are required to clearly define the responsibilities of the agencies involved.
He assured participants that the Senate would pursue recommendations rooted in fairness, evidence and national interest, adding that no option—including legislative and policy reforms—would be ruled out if necessary to achieve lasting regulatory harmony.
“Our objective is to build a regulatory environment founded on cooperation, accountability, efficiency and legal certainty. Such an environment is critical to attracting investment, safeguarding national interests and positioning Nigeria as a leading energy hub in Africa,” he stated.
Also speaking at the retreat, Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, Alhaji Bamanga Usman Jada, urged government agencies to avoid actions capable of creating regulatory confusion and undermining investor trust.
Jada stressed that the success of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry depends not only on sound policies but also on seamless collaboration among institutions charged with regulating the sector.
He defended the globally accepted “one-stop-shop” model for free zones, arguing that investors operating within designated free zones should not be subjected to multiple layers of regulation that could erode the ease of doing business.
“If Nigeria hopes to become Africa’s premier energy and industrial destination, investors in free zones must enjoy the regulatory certainty and coordinated oversight that have made free zones successful across the world,” he said.
The OGFZA chief added that strategic investments such as the Dangote Industries Free Zone require a stable regulatory ecosystem to thrive and deliver maximum economic benefits to the country.
With stakeholders now gathered around the same table, expectations are mounting that the Senate’s intervention could finally settle a dispute that has long generated uncertainty in the sector.
For investors and industry operators, the outcome of the retreat may prove pivotal, not only in clarifying regulatory boundaries but also in shaping the future competitiveness of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.