NUPRC to Launch 2025 Oil Licensing Round on December 1, Aims to Boost Nigeria’s Energy Production

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has officially announced that the 2025 Oil Licensing Round will commence on December 1, 2025, signaling a renewed drive to unlock Nigeria’s untapped oil and gas resources. The announcement was made by the Commission’s Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, during the Project 1MMBOPD Additional Production Investment Forum in London.

Komolafe emphasized that the licensing round, approved by the Minister of Petroleum Resources under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, aims to accelerate upstream production and bring previously discovered but unexploited fields into commercial operation. The initiative will particularly focus on gas-rich assets to support Nigeria’s energy transition and strengthen domestic energy security.

The 2025 round follows the successful conclusion of the 2024 licensing exercise, which awarded Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) to several indigenous firms. While past licensing rounds—such as those in 2000, 2005, and 2007—faced technical and regulatory challenges, the NUPRC has stressed that the bidding process is fully digital, transparent, and technology-driven, ensuring integrity and investor confidence.

Ahead of the round, the NUPRC will release comprehensive guidelines detailing available blocks, pre-qualification criteria, application procedures, and submission timelines. This approach is designed to attract both local and international investors by offering clearer regulatory frameworks and more investor-friendly terms under the PIA framework.

The upcoming licensing round coincides with a resurgence in Nigeria’s upstream sector, marked by a sharp rise in rig activity—from just eight rigs in 2021 to 69 rigs as of October 2, 2025. With the 2025 Oil Licensing Round, the NUPRC expects to further boost exploration, production, and overall contributions to the government’s target of 1 million barrels per day (1MMBOPD) incremental output.

source: Nairametrics