The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has concluded the pre-qualification phase of Nigeria’s 2025 oil licensing round, with successful applicants now cleared to proceed to the next stage of the process.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the Commission’s Head of Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu, confirmed that the exercise was completed on March 16 in line with the established guidelines for the 2025 round.
“With the pre-qualification stage now successfully completed, the Commission will from March 17 permit successful applicants to lease data in preparation for the technical and commercial bid submissions.
“Please note that the pre-qualified applicants are mandated to lease data only from the two data sources (as applicable) and upload evidence of payment as a prerequisite to the submission of bids.
The next phase of the process will allow qualified firms to access geological and technical data required to prepare detailed bids for oil and gas assets on offer.
A licensing round is a competitive process through which governments allocate exploration and production rights for oil and gas resources to qualified companies.
The 2025 exercise, which opened in December 2025, includes 50 oil and gas blocks across different terrains. These comprise 15 onshore assets, 19 shallow water blocks, 15 frontier basins, and one deepwater asset.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to boost investment in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector and increase production capacity.
Regulators estimate the exercise could attract up to $10 billion in investment, strengthening the country’s position as a key player in the global energy market.
Industry analysts say the data leasing stage is critical, as it enables bidders to evaluate asset potential and determine the commercial viability of proposed investments before submitting final bids.
The NUPRC has continued to emphasise transparency and competitiveness in the licensing process, leveraging a digital platform to manage submissions and improve efficiency.
The outcome of the bidding process is expected to shape Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas landscape in the coming years, particularly as the country seeks to expand reserves and attract fresh capital into the sector.
