The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) will launch the 2026 Licensing Round by the third quarter of 2026.
The Minister of Petroleum Resources gave approval for the exercise under the Petroleum Industry Act.
NUPRC Chief Executive Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan announced this on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, when Meren Energy (formerly Africa Oil) visited the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Eyesan expressed satisfaction with the 2025 Licensing Round and said the commercial bid would hold in July. The 2026 round will follow soon after.
She described the strong participation in the current round as proof that Nigeria moved in the right direction. Eyesan added that higher investments and increased production showed the oil and gas sector became more attractive under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“We are also fortunate that the President and Minister of Petroleum Resources has approved the 2026 Licensing Round,” she stated.
“We are in the process of finalising the 2026 launch which will happen latest by the third quarter. This is the make or break point and we want to make sure we make it.”
Meren Energy Group CEO Dr. Oliver Quinn said reforms in the sector inspired the company to increase investments in Nigeria.
He showed interest in asset divestments and new licensing rounds. Quinn noted that Africa is the company’s investment priority, with Nigeria at number one.
“We have operated in Agbami, Akpo and Egina world class fields,” he said. “About 11 billion dollars in capital from our side has gone into these assets and about 4 billion dollars has gone to tax and royalties.
Nigeria remains the core of our business today because of the quality of these assets.”
Quinn revealed that Meren Energy pressures its partners to deepen investments and raise production.
The company was the first to sell crude oil to the Dangote refinery and will continue to meet its Domestic Crude Supply Obligation as long as prices remain right.
