(DDM) – The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced that a total of ₦373 billion has so far been allocated to host oil-producing communities across Nigeria under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)-driven Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the amount, which includes ₦125 billion and $168.9 million in dollar contributions, represents a significant milestone in the federal government’s ongoing effort to ensure sustainable development and stability within oil-bearing regions, particularly the Niger Delta.
According to the NUPRC spokesperson, Eniola Akinkuotu, the funds are being utilized to support over 536 community-based projects currently underway in different host areas across the country.
These projects, he explained, cover essential sectors such as education, healthcare, skills development, infrastructure, and employment generation.
NUPRC Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, emphasized that the implementation of the Host Community Development Trust was one of the major achievements of the PIA, ensuring that oil-producing communities receive direct and measurable benefits from the operations of energy companies.
He noted that the initiative is not only aimed at driving social and economic inclusion but also at reducing incidents of pipeline vandalism and community unrest that have historically plagued the Niger Delta region.
Komolafe highlighted that several international oil companies, including TotalEnergies, have already made significant progress in their HCDT projects.
He cited the example of TotalEnergies’ Obagi Host Community Development Trust in Rivers State, which recently completed over 10 community projects and commenced an additional 10, ranging from health centers and classroom blocks to skill acquisition centers and road rehabilitation
DDM learned that the commission is also monitoring similar success stories across Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Ondo States, where community trusts are already disbursing funds and executing projects aligned with local development priorities.
Komolafe stated that by institutionalizing the Host Community Development Trusts under the PIA framework, the federal government has built a transparent mechanism that ensures accountability and community ownership in the management of oil revenues.
He further explained that host communities are now empowered to decide the type of projects they want and are involved in the supervision and maintenance of completed infrastructures to ensure sustainability.
Industry experts told DDM that the Host Community Development Trust represents one of the most pragmatic reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas governance, shifting focus from reactive compensation models to proactive community development.
They added that if sustained, the ₦373 billion investment could transform long-neglected areas in the Niger Delta into centers of human capital development and socio-economic opportunity.
Observers also note that the initiative has the potential to improve relations between oil firms and their host communities, ensuring peace, stability, and continued energy production crucial to Nigeria’s economy.
As the NUPRC continues to track progress and enforce compliance among operators, the success of these 536 projects will likely determine how effectively the PIA’s community-centered vision translates into real impact on the ground.
For many residents of the oil-rich Niger Delta, this development represents more than just numbers, it symbolizes long-awaited inclusion, hope, and a new chapter in Nigeria’s energy governance.
The post NUPRC Confirms ₦373bn Fund For Niger Delta Host Communities Under PIA
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