The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced that the 2026 oil and gas licensing round will kick off by the third quarter of 2026. This follows approval from the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
The commission shared this news in a statement on Wednesday after Meren Energy, which was previously known as Africa Oil, visited its office in Abuja.
NUPRC Chief Executive Officer, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, shared the timeline while welcoming the delegation. "The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says the 2026 Licensing Round will commence latest by Q3 2026, having received the approval of the Minister of Petroleum Resources in line with the Petroleum Industry Act," the statement said.
Mrs. Eyesan expressed happiness with the ongoing 2025 Licensing Round, noting that the commercial bid phase is set for July. After this phase, plans for the next round will begin.
A licensing round is a competitive way governments give oil and gas exploration and production rights to companies. This announcement comes a few months after the NUPRC, under former Chief Executive Gbenga Komolafe, launched the 2025 licensing round, which starts on December 1, 2025.
During the launch, Mr. Komolafe mentioned that the commission aimed to tackle funding issues in the upstream sector. He said, "One of the factors that affected business is that activities were happening in silos, but the NUPRC now realises the need to bring everyone together."
To prepare for the 2025 exercise, the commission invited global energy investors, upstream operators, financial institutions, and strategic partners to a webinar in January. This was ahead of the bidding process.
In March, the NUPRC announced the completion of the pre-qualification stage. This allows successful applicants to access and lease important geological and technical data needed for bids.
"With the pre-qualification stage now successfully completed, the Commission will, from today, March 17, 2026, permit successful applicants to lease data in preparation for the technical and commercial bid submissions," the commission stated then.
The regulator added that applicants must get data from approved sources and show proof of payment before submitting bids. Speaking on Wednesday, Mrs. Eyesan noted that more people are getting involved in the 2025 licensing round, showing confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
She linked this to increased investments, better production levels, and changes made under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. "We are also fortunate that the President and Minister of Petroleum Resources have approved the 2026 Licensing Round," she said.
"So, we are in the process of finalising the 2026 launch which will happen latest by the third quarter. So, this is the make-or-break point, and we want to make sure we make it."
Meren Energy Group CEO, Oliver Quinn, also spoke. He said the reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector have motivated the company to invest more and participate actively in asset acquisitions and licensing chances. Mr. Quinn said Nigeria is Meren Energy’s top investment place in Africa.
"We have operated in Agbami, Akpo and Egina world-class fields. I think till date, in 20 years, about $11 billion in capital from our side has gone into these assets, and about $4 billion has gone to tax and royalties," he stated.
"Nigeria remains the core of our business today because of the quality of these assets." He added that the company is urging its partners to increase investments in existing assets to raise production.
Mr. Quinn also mentioned that Meren Energy was the first company in Nigeria to sell crude oil to the Dangote refinery. They will continue to meet their Domestic Crude Supply Obligation as long as commercial terms are good.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇