KEY POINTS
- The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has fixed June 12, 2026, as the deadline for submission of bids in the 2025 oil licensing round.
- Prequalified companies are expected to submit technical and commercial proposals as the process enters a critical stage.
- The licensing round aims to attract investment, boost exploration, and unlock billions of barrels of oil reserves.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, has announced Friday, June 12, 2026, as the deadline for submission of technical and commercial bids by prequalified applicants participating in the ongoing 2025 oil licensing round.
The announcement was contained in a notice released on the commission’s official communication channels, directing all qualified bidders to strictly adhere to the stipulated timeline.
According to the regulator, submissions will close at 4:30 p.m. (West Africa Time) on the specified date in line with the guidelines governing the exercise.
The commission said the bidding phase represents one of the most important stages of the licensing process, as investors compete for access to Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas assets.
Only prequalified applicants are eligible to submit final technical and commercial proposals after successfully completing earlier qualification stages.
Authorities noted that strict compliance with deadlines is essential for ensuring transparency and credibility in the licensing process.
Details of the Licensing Portal
The NUPRC urged stakeholders seeking additional information to visit the official licensing portal for updates and procedural guidelines.
Officials said the portal provides full details on submission requirements, evaluation processes and other regulatory instructions guiding the 2025 licensing round.
The commission emphasised that all transactions and communications related to the bidding exercise must follow official channels. The 2025 licensing round is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to attract investment into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and improve hydrocarbon production.
Conducted under the Petroleum Industry Act, the exercise is designed to unlock dormant oil and gas assets, expand exploration activities and increase national reserves.
The round, which was opened in December, includes 50 oil and gas blocks spread across onshore, shallow water, frontier and deep-water basins. According to projections by the commission, the licensing round could attract about $10 billion in investments and unlock approximately 2 billion barrels of oil over the next decade.
Authorities also estimate that full development of the awarded blocks could boost national production by around 400,000 barrels per day.
The portfolio includes 15 onshore blocks, 19 shallow-water blocks, 15 frontier basins and one deep-water block.The NUPRC confirmed that the prequalification stage of the 2025 licensing round was completed in March, with successful applicants already notified.
The process ensures that only qualified and technically capable companies proceed to the bidding stage, in line with international best practices.
Officials said the structured approach is intended to enhance transparency and improve investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream sector.The announcement comes as preparations intensify for the 2026 licensing round, which has already received ministerial approval.
The Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the next round is expected to commence no later than the third quarter of 2026.
She noted that the regulator is working to institutionalise annual licensing rounds in line with provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
