Communication expert Tajudeen Suleiman has affirmed that the Nigerian National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) ran a transparent and credible 2025 Oil and Gas Licensing Round, saying the exercise successfully passed a critical accountability test.
In a review article, Suleiman said the Commission proved its dedication to openness through strict compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the deployment of a computer-based bid evaluation system, and the public conduct of the Commercial Bid Conference.
Licensing Round Launch and Initial Response
The bid round received presidential approval from Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and NUPRC formally launched the exercise in London on November 11, 2025. The registration portal was opened on December 1, and statutory notices were placed in national and international newspapers in line with the PIA 2021 and the 2025 Licensing Round Guidelines.
According to Suleiman, NUPRC Chief Executive Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan embedded transparency into every stage of the process. This was achieved through clearly defined eligibility requirements, technical and commercial evaluation criteria, pre-bid conferences, webinars, and dedicated enquiry channels.
The round attracted nearly 300 expressions of interest. Of these, 196 companies were prequalified, and 143 firms eventually submitted 200 technical and commercial bids covering 37 oil and gas assets. The exercise concluded on July 21, 2026, with 31 companies winning 37 blocks. The participation figures underscored the competitive nature of the licensing round and the strong interest from both domestic and international players in Nigeria's upstream sector.
Commercial Bid Conference and Scoring Methodology
The Commercial Bid Conference lasted eight hours and 34 minutes, with more than 600 participants in attendance. These included bidders, observers, industry stakeholders, and journalists, while the proceedings were broadcast live. Bidders were provided technical support, standby laptops, and power banks to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted process.
Commercial bids were assessed based on signature bonus, work programme commitment, and work programme performance security. Instead of simply awarding blocks to the highest immediate payment, NUPRC used a weighted aggregate system designed to reward bidders offering the best combination of financial commitment and technical capability. A tie-break mechanism requiring additional signature bonus submissions was introduced to handle close contests. Consortium discussions were forbidden during the commercial bid stage to safeguard the integrity of the results. All bids were decrypted electronically, validated against approved templates, and scores were displayed in real time to all participants.
Independent Oversight and Industry Reactions
Representatives from the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources monitored the exercise, offering independent oversight compliant with the PIA.
Industry executives also endorsed the process. TotalEnergies Nigeria Executive Director Abiodun Afolabi called it "a very transparent and open process," noting it was a significant improvement over previous licensing rounds. SLB Country Manager Dr. Nosa Omorodion said the exercise reinforced investor confidence through its openness. AYA Shafa Managing Director Abba Abdu Misau described the bidding process as "excellent" and better than earlier rounds.
Broader Impact on Nigeria's Petroleum Sector
Suleiman concluded that the 2025 Licensing Round demonstrated how transparent procedures, regulatory compliance, and independent oversight can boost investor confidence and enhance the credibility of Nigeria's upstream petroleum industry. The success of the exercise, he added, provides a strong foundation for future licensing rounds and signals to international investors that Nigeria is committed to accountable and open resource governance.
The outcome also aligns with the broader objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act, which seeks to create a more transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly regulatory framework for Nigeria's oil and gas sector. With the completion of the 2025 licensing round, industry observers will be watching to see how the winning companies progress with their work programmes and whether the transparency demonstrated during bidding extends to the post-award phase.
