NUPRC schedules Jan 14 pre-bid conference for 2025 oil licensing round

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has fixed January 14, 2026, for the pre-bid conference ahead of the 2025 oil and gas licensing round, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to attract fresh investments into the upstream sector.

The commission disclosed this in an official notice dated January 8, 2026, signed by its Chief Executive, Engr. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and published on its verified social media platforms.

According to the notice, the conference will hold at 9:00 a.m. at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, and is expected to bring together prospective local and international investors participating in the licensing process.

The NUPRC explained that the pre-bid conference is a critical stage in the licensing round, designed to provide clarity on the structure, requirements and procedures guiding the bid exercise.

It noted that discussions will focus on the implementation timetable, preparation of bid packages, eligibility conditions, as well as the criteria and methodology for evaluating bids and determining successful applicants.

“The focus areas of the upcoming pre-bid conference include the implementation timetable, bid package preparation, eligibility terms, and the assessment and winners’ determination procedures,” the commission stated.

Interested participants were urged to register for the conference through the official portal br2025.nuprc.gov.ng, while comprehensive details on the licensing round — including guidelines, block descriptions and participation instructions — have been made available on the commission’s website.

The regulator added that the announcement follows earlier notices published in both local and international media, in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which mandates transparency and competitiveness in upstream licensing activities.

Recall that the commission had earlier announced that the 2025 oil block licensing round would commence on December 1, with plans to offer about 50 oil and gas blocks across different terrains.

The exercise forms part of a broader strategy to rebuild investor confidence, deepen indigenous participation, and reposition Nigeria as an attractive destination for upstream investment amid global competition for energy capital.

Nigeria has in recent years experienced declining upstream investment due to regulatory uncertainty, crude oil theft and project delays.

However, since the enactment of the PIA in 2021, the NUPRC has conducted multiple bid rounds aimed at improving transparency, strengthening governance and enhancing investor confidence.

Pre-bid conferences have become increasingly important under the PIA framework, as they help clarify fiscal terms, compliance obligations and evaluation frameworks, thereby reducing disputes and post-award uncertainty.

With the global energy transition accelerating, stakeholders view the 2025 licensing round as critical to Nigeria’s drive to boost crude oil output, monetise gas resources and stabilise government revenues.

The commission expressed optimism that the Lagos conference would attract broad participation, signalling renewed interest in Nigeria’s upstream assets.