The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has fixed Friday, June 12, 2026, as the deadline for the submission of technical and commercial bids for the 2025 oil licensing round.
The commission said all pre-qualified applicants must complete and upload their bids by 4:30 p.m. (WAT), marking the close of the bid preparation phase which began on March 17, 2026, after the conclusion of the pre-qualification stage.
In a statement issued in Abuja, NUPRC emphasised strict compliance with the licensing guidelines, noting that only companies that have met all requirements—including mandatory data acquisition—will be considered.
The 2025 licensing round, the second exercise since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, offers 50 oil and gas blocks, focusing on discovered but undeveloped fields, fallow assets, and natural gas opportunities.
According to the commission, the exercise is part of the Federal Government’s strategy to boost crude oil output by an additional one million barrels per day.
Interested bidders are required to lease relevant geological and technical data from accredited vendors, provide proof of payment, and submit their applications through the official bid portal.
NUPRC disclosed that the process adopts a transparent two-stage evaluation system designed to attract both local and international investors and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector.
Following the submission deadline, technical evaluation of bids is scheduled to take place between June 15 and June 26, 2026, ahead of subsequent commercial processes and final award announcements.
The commission urged stakeholders to adhere strictly to timelines and guidelines to ensure a smooth and credible licensing process.
