Nigeria civil groups push NUPRC unbundling, 40% host community seats

Civil society organisations in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria, have called for the unbundling of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to improve regulatory focus and deliver greater benefits to oil‑producing host communities.

The groups also urged an amendment to the Petroleum Industry Act to secure at least 40% representation for women, youth and persons with disabilities in the Host Community Development Trust. They demanded stricter enforcement of gas‑flaring penalties, warning that the federal government should not treat these penalties as a revenue source. The demand was issued in a communiqué signed by Ayo Omowu of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre and Edidiong Dickson of Policy Alert after a two‑day advocacy workshop for traditional rulers.