NUPRC Announces 2025 Oil Licensing Round To Begin December 1

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced that the 2025 Oil Licensing Round will officially commence on December 1, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to expand the nation’s oil and gas reserves and drive investment in the upstream sector.

NUPRC Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, disclosed this at the Project 1MMBOPD Additional Production Investment Forum held in London on Tuesday. He stated that the new licensing round has received full approval from the Minister of Petroleum Resources and will be conducted in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

“We are announcing that we are ready under the approval of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, in line with the PIA, to commence the 2025 licensing round beginning from December 1, 2025,” Komolafe said.

According to the Commission, the upcoming round is aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s undeveloped and fallow oil and gas fields, with a special focus on gas-rich assets that can bolster the nation’s energy transition goals and enhance domestic energy security.

The NUPRC emphasized that the initiative seeks to accelerate upstream production and bring previously discovered but unexploited fields into commercial operation, helping the country move closer to its 1 million barrels per day (1MMBOPD) incremental production target.

Background

The Federal Government concluded its first licensing round under the PIA in December 2024, awarding several Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) to indigenous oil and gas companies for both onshore and offshore blocks.

Over the years, Nigeria’s licensing rounds — notably in 2000, 2005, and 2007 — have played a pivotal role in attracting investment into the sector. However, some awarded blocks have faced technical, financial, and regulatory challenges, slowing progress toward full production.

In June 2025, NUPRC dismissed claims of irregularities in the 2024 round, stressing that the process was transparent, competitive, and technology-driven. It noted that the commercial bidding phase was conducted digitally using encrypted systems to ensure data integrity, with results announced live in the presence of NEITI and key government officials.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 licensing round is expected to offer clearer regulatory guidelines and investor-friendly terms under the PIA framework. The Commission will soon release comprehensive documentation outlining:

Available oil blocks,

Pre-qualification requirements,

Application procedures, and

Submission timelines.

This, the NUPRC says, will ensure transparency and bolster global investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas industry.

The regulator also noted a strong rebound in sector activity, reporting a significant rise in rig count — from eight in 2021 to 69 as of October 2, 2025 — signaling renewed investor confidence and operational momentum.