NUPRC opens 2026 licensing round with 40 oil and gas blocks

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission announced a 2026 oil and gas licensing round on 6 October, offering 40 blocks across onshore, shallow-water and deep-water areas. The Commission said the round had presidential approval and invited participation from investors with the technical and financial capacity to develop the assets.

At the announcement, NUPRC Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan also set out near-term production priorities. She cited 788,000 barrels per day of shut-in production identified across 63 operators, offshore projects estimated at US$30–50 billion that could progress toward final investment decisions, and a goal of increasing domestic gas delivery.

A licensing announcement, not an award list

The Commission’s announcement identifies the number and broad geography of blocks on offer. It does not name successful bidders or say that production will begin immediately. Exploration and development require technical evaluation, approvals, financing and time; the regulator described restoring shut-in production as a separate priority from the new acreage round.

NUPRC has also said it wants licensing rounds to be regular and predictable. The round’s progress, published bid details and awards will show whether the announcement produces new operator commitments.

What remains to be published

The announcement directs attention to the blocks and the regulator’s production objectives. Investors will need the formal bid rules, applicable terms, technical data and timetable to assess opportunities. Those details should be checked against NUPRC’s official licensing-round materials as they are released.