The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has received international praise after launching its 2025 Licensing Round Portal, with a UK-based energy watchdog describing the initiative as a “landmark step” in global upstream transparency.
The Global Energy Transparency Initiative (GETI) commended NUPRC and its Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, for implementing investor-friendly practices and aligning Nigeria’s oil and gas licensing with international standards.
The 2025 portal, which went live on Monday at br2025.nuprc.gov.ng, lists 50 oil and gas blocks spanning onshore, swamp/shallow water, frontier basins, and deepwater terrain.
In a statement on Tuesday, GETI’s Executive Director, Dr. Jonathan Whitfield, hailed the move as “the most ambitious transparency measures by any African upstream regulator in recent memory.”
He emphasised that the full digitisation of the licensing process, including public disclosure of bidding procedures and detailed block information, signals a decisive shift toward regulatory accountability.
“Under Engr. Komolafe’s leadership, Nigeria has demonstrated that regulatory openness, clarity, and accountability are not optional but essential to attracting credible investors,” Dr. Whitfield said.
“From prequalification and bid submission to evaluation and award, every stage is now transparent, reducing discretion and the opacity that has historically undermined confidence in the sector.”
The NUPRC projects that the licensing round could attract $10 billion in fresh investments and add two billion barrels to Nigeria’s reserves over the next decade. The initiative also highlights potential production of 400,000 barrels per day, with a strong focus on gas utilisation and job creation.
Dr. Whitfield described the licensing round as “a holistic approach to energy governance that balances revenue, competitiveness, and social impact,” and called on NUPRC to continue publishing contracts, fiscal terms, and beneficial ownership information to ensure transparency extends beyond bidding.
“The message is clear: strong governance is a competitive advantage. Nigeria is showing that with the right leadership, regulatory credibility can coexist with rapid investment growth,” he added.
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