Nigeria’s rig count soars 357% in one year

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — Nigeria’s oil and gas industry has recorded a dramatic surge in drilling activity, with the country’s rig count rising from 14 to 64 within a year — a 357 percent increase — according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

Lokpobiri, who disclosed this while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, recently said the sharp increase reflects the renewed investor confidence and operational momentum achieved under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He attributed the progress to regulatory clarity brought by the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, and the efficiency of NUPRC as the technical and commercial regulator of Nigeria’s upstream sector.

“Even with the growth from 14 rigs, as of when I assumed office, to 64 rigs as of today, we recognize that we are still not where we aspire to be,” Lokpobiri stated. “However, we have laid a solid foundation for sustained progress.”

The Minister commended NUPRC for its “high-impact achievements” within just four years of operation, saying the agency has become a cornerstone in Nigeria’s drive to stabilize and expand upstream production.

“NUPRC, as the technical and commercial regulator of our energy sector, has delivered high-impact achievements within its short but eventful four years of existence—a feat truly deserving of commendation,” he said.

Lokpobiri also noted that the global conversation around the energy transition has evolved into a more inclusive concept of energy mix; one that allows developing nations like Nigeria to balance environmental responsibility with economic growth.

“With the narrative evolving from energy transition to energy mix, I believe that our success in improving the energy sector will ultimately be measured by how many businesses we have enabled,” the Minister remarked.

He emphasized that the transformation of the country’s energy landscape is a collective journey requiring transparency, inclusivity, and shared purpose among stakeholders.

“The transformation of our energy sector remains a collective journey—one that must be undertaken with transparency, inclusivity, and shared purpose in the best interest of our nation,” Lokpobiri affirmed.

The visit, led by NUPRC Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, marked the Commission’s fourth anniversary since its creation under the PIA, which overhauled Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory framework.

Lokpobiri, who shared his remarks via his official handle on X, reiterated the government’s resolve to create an enabling environment for investment across the energy value chain, adding that “Nigeria’s energy success will be defined not by production figures alone, but by how it empowers its people and businesses.”