The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has shortlisted bidders for Nigeria’s 2025 oil and gas licensing round.
In a notice signed by the Head of Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu, NUPRC announced the completion of the pre-qualification process and formally notified successful applicants, in a move that signals the transition from screening to competitive bidding.
The commission disclosed that the milestone, achieved on March 16, 2026, marks the completion of the initial screening phase conducted in accordance with the 2025 Licensing Round Guidelines and sets the stage for the next phase of the exercise.
The NUPRC confirmed that only applicants who scaled the pre-qualification hurdle would proceed to access the subsurface data required for bid preparation.
“The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission wishes to inform the public that it has completed the pre-qualification stage of the 2025 Licensing Round and has notified successful pre-qualified applicants accordingly,” it said.
The regulator stressed that access to credible geological and geophysical data would be strictly controlled, underscoring its push for transparency and standardisation in the bid process.
The commission further said pre-qualified applicants are required to obtain data exclusively from the two approved sources (where applicable) and must upload proof of payment as a condition for submitting their bids.
In January, the NUPRC, at the opening of 50 oil and gas blocks across five sedimentary basins for bidding and exploration in the 2025 licensing round, said it had reduced the signature bonus for the round to between $3 million and $7 million.
The new bonus, which had presidential approval, is a reduction from the $10 million paid in 2024 and a significant drop from the approximately $200 million required some years ago.
A total of 50 oil and gas blocks, including 15 onshore, 19 shallow-water assets, 15 frontier basins, and one deepwater block, are being offered in the delayed 2025 licensing round.
The NUPRC had in December 2025 officially launched the 2025 Licensing Round, introducing a digital bid portal as the country moves to deepen investment and strengthen activities in the upstream sector.
