• The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) will open the 2025 oil licensing round on December 1 to attract new investments and boost production.

• The bid round aligns with the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and targets increased transparency and investor confidence.

• Nigeria’s oil output has recovered to 1.7 million barrels per day in 2025, up from below 1.3 million in 2022, with 46 field development plans approved this year.

Nigeria will launch its 2025 oil licensing round on December 1, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) announced. The regulator said the new cycle aims to attract private investment and revive the country’s oil and gas output.

NUPRC Chief Executive Gbenga Komolafe said the process will operate under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the 2021 law that overhauled governance in the oil sector. The initiative, approved by the federal government, is designed to strengthen investor confidence and improve transparency in upstream operations.

The 2025 licensing round will cover exploration blocks, undeveloped fields, and inactive assets, with a strong emphasis on natural gas, Komolafe said. The government aims to lift output by around one million barrels per day through private capital and a clearer regulatory framework.

The announcement follows a gradual recovery in Nigeria’s oil production. According to NUPRC data, crude output, which fell below 1.3 million barrels per day in 2022, has climbed to about 1.7 million barrels per day in 2025, reaching a temporary high of 1.83 million.

The regulator said 46 field development plans have been approved in 2025, reflecting renewed activity in the upstream sector. Details on available blocks, selection criteria, and the detailed timetable will be released after the preparatory phase concludes.

Nigeria has recently accelerated project approvals to improve the investment climate. In June, authorities reduced approval times for exploration and development projects, part of wider efforts to enhance competitiveness and attract global capital into the country’s energy industry.

This article was initially in French by Abdel-Latif Boureima

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum