Manny Ita
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has called for the immediate harmonization of African energy policies to unlock over 180 trillion cubic feet of discovered natural gas currently lying untapped across the continent. Speaking on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja, Commission Chief Executive Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan stated that fragmented markets and unaligned fiscal regimes remain the primary barriers to large-scale investment. Eyesan, represented by NUPRC Director Edu Inyang, emphasized the need to strengthen the African Petroleum Regulators’ Forum (AFRIPERF), asserting that “our voice must be one, our frameworks aligned, and our actions coordinated” to de-risk cross-border projects and secure competitive pricing for African resources.
In addition to regional advocacy, the NUPRC has formally opened the 2025/2026 oil block licensing round, offering 50 oil and gas blocks across various sedimentary basins. To stimulate investor interest and lower entry barriers, the commission has reduced signature bonuses to a range between $3 million and $7 million, a significant decrease from the $10 million required in 2024. The commission clarified that only applicants with proven technical depth and financial strength will proceed through the five-stage bidding process, as the government prioritizes operators capable of rapid production. Eyesan noted that the licensing round serves as “an open call for committed partners” who can accelerate the transition of assets from award to full-scale hydrocarbon recovery.
On the domestic front, the NUPRC has reaffirmed its commitment to the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) under the Petroleum Industry Act, which mandates that upstream producers allocate a portion of their output to local refineries. This remains a critical focal point as the commission works to ensure a steady feedstock for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other local facilities. While the NUPRC has previously warned it would withhold export permits from companies failing to meet these obligations, industry reports indicate that some refiners continue to navigate supply shortages. The regulator maintains that its “digital reset” and enhanced monitoring are vital to stabilizing the sector and reaching a national production target of 2.7 million barrels per day by 2027.
The commission also highlighted a dramatic increase in upstream activity, with Nigeria’s rig count rising from a low of eight in 2021 to 69 as of late 2025. This surge, which includes 40 active rigs currently in operation, is viewed by the regulator as a “testament to the renewed vigour” and investor confidence in the Nigerian basin. To sustain this momentum, the NUPRC has deployed advanced surveillance technology to monitor production in real-time and automate permit applications, promising a transparent and “untainted” process for the ongoing licensing exercise. Officials stated that these reforms are essential for transforming Nigeria into a “beautiful bride to capital” and a global hub for advanced technological deployment in energy.
