FG Returns 13 Oil Blocks After 2025 Licensing Round Fail

The Federal Government of Nigeria announced the return of 13 oil blocks to the licensing pool after the 2025 licensing round failed to attract sufficient bids from investors. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), disclosed this information during the 2025 commercial bid conference held in Abuja.

Out of the 50 oil and gas blocks offered, only 37 attracted bids from investors. A total of 143 companies submitted approximately 200 bids for the available assets, indicating a significant interest in Nigeria's upstream oil and gas sector.

The NUPRC noted that nearly 300 companies had initially expressed interest in the licensing exercise, reflecting a renewed investor confidence in the sector. The 2025 licensing round, announced on November 11, 2025, included 50 oil and gas blocks across seven sedimentary basins, comprising 16 onshore blocks in the Niger Delta, 18 shallow water blocks, and 16 deep offshore blocks.

The pre-bid conference took place on January 14, 2026, with the pre-qualification submission closing on February 27, 2026.