The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has intensified efforts to complete its new permanent headquarters in Abuja by the first quarter of 2027.
NUPRC Board Chairman Magnus Abe said the project would end what he described as the embarrassment of hosting major international energy investors across fragmented rented offices.
Abe spoke during an inspection of the headquarters construction site in Abuja’s Central Business District.
The project, known as The Barrel, is a 10 storey complex designed to accommodate about 1,000 personnel.
Construction began in 2020 but delays have forced the commission to continue operating from several separate locations.
Abe said consolidating the regulator under one roof would improve efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s image before international investors.
He argued that a petroleum regulator handling multibillion dollar transactions required a headquarters that reflected the scale and importance of its mandate.
The NUPRC chairman also said the current administration had provided policy support that was helping to revive upstream investment.
According to him, stronger investment could translate into jobs, local business opportunities, host community benefits and increased government revenue.
Commission Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan directed Julius Berger Nigeria to accelerate construction and meet the first quarter 2027 deadline.
Julius Berger Managing Director Peer Lubasch said the company would deploy the resources needed to meet the target.
The headquarters is expected to centralize regulatory departments and reduce the inefficiencies associated with staff and investors moving between multiple locations.
