NUPRC Apologises as Portal Upgrade Stalls Oil Service Firms’ Activities

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has apologized to oil and gas service providers for their inability to access the Oil and Gas Industry Service Permit (OGISP) portal due to an ongoing upgrade of its electronic licensing infrastructure. The upgrade, which started on November 6, 2026, has locked out service companies, contractors, and consultants from the OGISP platform, which is essential for operating in Nigeria’s upstream sector.

The NUPRC issued a statement on its official X handle acknowledging the inconvenience caused to users and apologizing for the difficulties they have faced in accessing the portal. The OGISP permit is a crucial regulatory gateway for companies providing services to exploration and production firms in Nigeria. Without a valid permit, these service firms cannot bid for contracts, mobilize to sites, or renew existing service agreements with operators.

Consequently, the portal downtime has effectively stalled new applications, renewals, and modifications that require regulatory approval, leading to potential delays in project timelines and compliance status for affected firms. The NUPRC claims that the upgrade aims to improve user experience, strengthen cybersecurity, and reduce the time taken to process applications.

The commission has been working towards automating processes and shortening timelines in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which seeks to create a conducive environment for upstream investment. The technical team is reportedly striving to complete the migration as swiftly as possible, with the NUPRC expecting the portal to be fully restored and running smoothly within the next 24 hours from the time the statement was released.