Finance

FG Fixes June 12 Deadline for Oil Block Bids

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has fixed June 12, 2026, as the deadline for the submission of technical and commercial bids by prequalified applicants participating in the ongoing 2025 Licensing Round.

 

The commission announced this in a notice published on its official X handle on Tuesday, urging all qualified bidders to comply with the timelines outlined in the licensing guidelines.

 

According to the notice, submissions will close at 4:30 p.m. (WAT) on the stipulated date.

 

“The NUPRC hereby notifies the general public that submission of Technical and Commercial Bids by Prequalified Applicants for the 2025 Licensing Round closes on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 16:30 hours (WAT) in line with the 2025 Licensing Round Guidelines,” the commission stated.

 

The regulator advised interested stakeholders to obtain additional information through the official licensing portal.

 

The announcement marks a critical stage in the licensing process as investors compete for opportunities in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector amid government efforts to attract investment and increase hydrocarbon production.

 

The licensing exercise, conducted under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), forms part of the Federal Government’s strategy to unlock dormant hydrocarbon assets, stimulate exploration activities and strengthen the country’s reserve base.

 

Under the process, firms that successfully passed the prequalification stage are required to submit final technical and commercial proposals before the deadline.

 

The 2025 Licensing Round, which opened in December 2025, offered 50 oil and gas blocks and is expected to attract about $10 billion in investment.

 

The portfolio comprises 15 onshore blocks, 19 shallow-water blocks, 15 frontier blocks, and one deep-water block.

 

According to the NUPRC, the exercise could unlock approximately two billion barrels of oil reserves over the next decade and potentially add 400,000 barrels of oil per day to Nigeria’s production capacity when fully developed.

 

The commission completed the prequalification stage in March and notified successful applicants accordingly.

 

The latest development comes as preparations are underway for the 2026 Licensing Round, which recently received ministerial approval.

 

The Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, had disclosed that the next licensing exercise is expected to commence no later than the third quarter of 2026.

 

She expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded in the ongoing 2025 round, noting that the commercial bid stage would be concluded before the launch of the 2026 exercise.

 

The regulator said the move reflects its commitment to institutionalising annual licensing rounds in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, which provides a transparent and competitive framework for the allocation of petroleum assets.

Olayinka Babatunde

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