By Titilope O. Abioje
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has raised the alarm over the proliferation of fake and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated employment letters being circulated in the name of the Commission.
The Commission also warned members of the public against falling victim to fraudsters who allegedly demand money from unsuspecting Nigerians under the guise of helping them secure jobs at the regulatory agency.
In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, and released on the Commission’s X handle on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the NUPRC said it had received reports of fake employment letters bearing the names of persons unknown to the Commission.
The Commission said reports reaching it also indicated that some unscrupulous and criminal elements had been extorting money from members of the public by falsely claiming to have the capacity to facilitate their employment into the NUPRC.
According to the statement, the activities of the suspected fraudsters have already been reported to law enforcement agencies, with the Commission awaiting the outcome of investigations.
The NUPRC urged members of the public to exercise caution and verify employment-related information before making any financial commitment, warning that they could otherwise fall victim to the activities of criminal elements.
The Commission stated categorically that there is currently no ongoing recruitment exercise at the NUPRC, dismissing any contrary claims as fraudulent.
It further assured Nigerians that whenever it decides to embark on recruitment, the process would be conducted strictly in accordance with extant laws and applicable government regulations.
The Commission advised members of the public to disregard purported recruitment offers, particularly those requiring payment of money or emanating from unofficial sources.