By Emma Peter, Abuja
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced its 2026 Licensing Round, offering 40 oil and gas blocks across land, shallow water and deep water terrains as part of efforts to attract fresh investments and boost Nigeria’s petroleum production.
The Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in Abuja at the Commission’s fifth anniversary ceremony, themed, “From Uncertainty to Stability: Unlocking the Next Phase of Investment.”
Eyesan said the licensing round was designed to provide opportunities for investors with the technical expertise, financial capacity and commitment required to develop Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
“The round offers 40 blocks across land, shallow water and deep water terrains. They are open to investors with the technical competence, the financial capacity and, above all, the commitment to develop Nigeria’s petroleum resources,” she said.
On the Commission’s immediate plans to increase oil production, Eyesan said NUPRC would ensure that licensing becomes regular and predictable while focusing on projects capable of delivering measurable increases in production.
“Our licensing will be regular and predictable. Our focus will be on what moves the numbers: restoring the more than 788,000 barrels per day of shut-in production identified across 63 operators; taking offshore projects valued at an estimated $30 billion to $50 billion to final investment decision; and raising domestic gas delivery from about two-thirds of the domestic obligation to full delivery,” she said.
She explained that the Commission’s strategy was aimed at unlocking investment, restoring production capacity and strengthening domestic gas supply as Nigeria seeks to maximise the benefits of its petroleum resources.
The anniversary ceremony also featured the recognition of past directors of the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), as well as pioneer leaders of the NUPRC for their contributions to the development of Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
Former leaders of the National Assembly who played pivotal roles in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) were also honoured, including former Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Commission also unveiled a special anniversary edition of its in-house magazine, The Upstream Gaze, alongside a documentary chronicling the journey and achievements of the NUPRC over the past five years.
The event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside prominent stakeholders and leaders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The announcement of the 2026 Licensing Round comes as the Commission intensifies efforts to improve investment certainty, recover shut-in production and accelerate the development of major upstream projects in the country.
