Announcing the 2025 Nigeria Licence Round

This past weekend in London, I had the privilege of meeting over lunch with Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the visionary Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Our conversation was nothing short of inspiring, a meeting focused on the next chapter of growth in the Nigerian upstream.

 

Together, we explored strategies to make 2026 a landmark year for development and investment in Nigeria’s upstream industry, and how AOW can play its role in accelerating the amazing vision of Engr Komolafe and NUPRC. What became clear is that with the right leadership and partnerships, the sector stands on the cusp of transformative progress.

 

 

Over our meeting Engr Komolafe set out some exciting initiatives for the Nigerian Upstream. however, the most exciting announcement of all came with Engr. Komolafe’s announcement of the forthcoming 2025 Nigeria Licence Round, officially set to open 1st December 2025. This initiative marks a major milestone, a tangible reflection of NUPRC’s commitment to increasing production and development in Nigeria, an ambition that is clearly achievable with the huge success being achieved within NUPRC. 

 

The 2025 Licence Round will create a dynamic platform for investors and operators to unlock new marginal fields and contribute directly to Nigeria’s aggressive production growth targets. It underscores the Commission’s continued drive to attract world-class investment while ensuring that Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources deliver long-term national value.

 

 

Engr. Komolafe also shared the success of another pivotal milestone, the launch of the AFRIPERF Charter at AOW 2025 in Ghana. This groundbreaking initiative promotes unity, equity, and growth through partnerships across Africa’s upstream ecosystem. AFRIPERF demonstrates the power of collaboration and the shared belief that Africa’s energy future must be driven by sustainable progress and mutual benefit.

 

 

As we look forward, AOW 2026 in Ghana will serve as a premier platform to spotlight the Nigeria Licence Round 2025. The event promises to be the hub for investors and operators seeking to engage with NUPRC, explore new exploration opportunities, and participate in shaping the next era of Nigerian upstream development.

 

In a statement from Pail Sinclair, CEO of AOW :Energy we heard “We stand shoulder to shoulder with Engr. Komolafe and the NUPRC, united in our mission to foster inclusive growth, oil and gas development for shared prosperity and a united voice for inter-regional development. Africa is united and we are making clear strides for our regional growth”

 

And the positivity continued “The launch of the 2025 Nigeria Licence Round represents a bold step forward in our commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s vast upstream potential,” said Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). “Our goal is to attract a new generation of responsible and innovative operators who share our vision for sustainable growth, transparency, and value creation. The close collaboration between NUPRC and AOW will make 2025 and 2026 defining years for Nigeria and the wider African region, years of meaningful deal-making, investment, and progress that will reshape the future of Africa’s energy landscape.”

 

Together, NUPRC, AOW:Energy and AFRIPERF are laying the foundation for African prosperity via upstream development, and we will see the most lucrative and prestigious upstream opportunities not only in Nigeria but across the wider region showcased at AOW:Energy. 

 

Further announcements will soon be made by NUPRC and AOW on how AOW will feature the licence round in September 2026 at AOW, and how companies can access detailed information and formally enter the Nigeria Licence Round 2025.

 

The foundations of growth and more production are being laid, and the opportunities ahead are extraordinary in Nigeria via this exciting licence round announcement.