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 Nigeria’s ongoing 2025 Licensing Round.
The commission announced the deadline in a notice published on its official communication channels on Tuesday, urging all eligible bidders to adhere strictly to 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 stakeholders to obtain additional information and submit relevant documentation through the official licensing round portal.
The deadline marks a significant milestone in the ongoing licensing exercise as investors compete for exploration and production opportunities in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
The licensing round follows a two-stage process comprising prequalification and competitive bidding. Having completed the prequalification phase earlier this year, shortlisted companies are now expected to submit their final technical and commercial proposals for evaluation.
Successful applicants will proceed to the final stage, which will culminate in the award of oil and gas assets.
The 2025 Licensing Round is being conducted under the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and forms part of the Federal Government’s strategy to attract fresh investment into the oil and gas sector, boost hydrocarbon production and unlock underdeveloped petroleum assets.
Launched in December 2025, the exercise offered a total of 50 oil and gas blocks, comprising:
- 15 onshore blocks
- 19 shallow-water blocks
- 15 frontier exploration blocks
- One deep-water block
The NUPRC has projected that successful development of the assets could unlock approximately two billion barrels of oil reserves over the next decade and potentially increase national production by about 400,000 barrels per day.
The commission also estimated that the licensing round could attract roughly $10 billion in new investments into Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
The latest development comes as the regulator intensifies preparations for the 2026 Licensing Round, which has already received ministerial approval.
The Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, recently disclosed that the next licensing exercise is expected to commence no later than the third quarter of 2026.
According to the commission, preparations for the upcoming round are already underway as part of efforts to sustain investor confidence and deepen exploration activities across the country’s sedimentary basins.
Eyesan expressed satisfaction with progress made in the ongoing 2025 exercise, noting that the completion of the commercial bid phase would pave the way for the launch of the next round.
The regulator said the move reflects its commitment to institutionalizing annual licensing rounds in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act, which promotes transparency, competitiveness and efficient allocation of petroleum assets.
Industry observers view the initiative as a key component of Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its position as a leading investment destination in Africa’s oil and gas sector while addressing declining reserves and production challenges.
With the June 12 deadline approaching, attention is now focused on the submission and evaluation of bids that will determine the next generation of operators in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry.
