The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has invited investors to take advantage of the 2026 Licensing Round, which features 40 oil and gas blocks. Commission Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, made the call during a roundtable discussion at the 2026 ADIPEC Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. She highlighted Nigeria's stable climate amid global energy tensions, making it an attractive destination for investments.
The licensing round portal is set to open on November 20, 2026, and Eyesan expects significant interest from investors. She attributed the anticipated interest to the country's competitive environment, attractive fiscal framework, and secure investment climate. The NUPRC boss noted that Nigeria has made substantial improvements in its investment climate since the passing of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021.
Between 2021 and 2026, the NUPRC successfully held four licensing rounds, bringing in substantial investments into the country. This marks a significant departure from the pre-PIA era, where licensing rounds were infrequent. Eyesan emphasized that Nigeria possesses enormous energy potential, with 215 trillion cubic feet of gas, but daily production is only 7 billion cubic feet.
The NUPRC boss highlighted ongoing gas infrastructure projects that will unlock gas supply in Nigeria and the sub-region. Two major projects, the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline and Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline, are underway to transport gas to Europe and meet regional demands. Eyesan stated that Nigeria is well-positioned to meet domestic and international gas demands.
With many countries discovering petroleum resources, the competition for investments has intensified. Eyesan noted that Nigeria has made necessary modifications to attract the right capital, addressing execution risk, cost, delays, and uncertainty. The NUPRC boss expressed confidence that Nigeria's efforts will attract investors to explore its vast energy resources.
The 2026 Licensing Round offers a significant opportunity for investors to participate in Nigeria's oil and gas sector. With a stable climate, attractive fiscal framework, and ongoing infrastructure projects, Nigeria is poised to attract substantial investments. The NUPRC is optimistic about the licensing round's success, citing the country's improved investment climate.
As the licensing round portal opens on November 20, 2026, investors are expected to seize the opportunity to explore Nigeria's energy potential. The NUPRC's efforts to attract investments and improve the country's investment climate are expected to yield positive results, ultimately contributing to Nigeria's economic growth and development.
Key points
- - Nigeria's NUPRC offers 40 oil and gas blocks in the 2026 Licensing Round. - The licensing round portal opens on November 20, 2026. - Nigeria has improved its investment climate since the passing of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021.
