Nigeria sets June 12, 2026 deadline for 2025 oil block bids

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced June 12, 2026, as the deadline for submitting technical and commercial bids for the 2025 Licensing Round. This critical phase requires prequalified applicants to submit their final proposals by the stipulated time, marking a significant step in the process to award oil blocks.

This licensing round, conducted under the Petroleum Industry Act, is a key component of the Federal Government's strategy to revitalize Nigeria's upstream sector. It aims to unlock dormant hydrocarbon assets, encourage deeper exploration, and expand the country's reserve base. The round, which opened in December, offered 50 oil and gas blocks with the goal of attracting approximately $10 billion in investment. NUPRC projects that the successful development of these blocks could yield around 2 billion barrels of oil and add about 400,000 barrels per day to production over the next decade.

The commission has already completed the pre-qualification stage and notified successful applicants. The announcement of the bid deadline comes as NUPRC also gears up for the 2026 Licensing Round, which has received ministerial approval and is slated to begin no later than the third quarter of 2026. These efforts signal a sustained drive to maintain investor confidence and stimulate activity in Nigeria's vital oil and gas industry.

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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.