Before the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021, allocation of oil blocks were largely discretionary. The result was that many companies that lacked the technical or commercial capacity were allocated oil blocks and were unable to develop these assets. This was what the NUPRC inherited when it was established as a government institution in 2021. Acting on Section 94 of the PIA, a policy of “drill or drop” was announced which states that awardees of petroleum licenses must begin exploration and development work within a set timeframe or surrender/relinquish the undeveloped acreage back to the government Many of those who failed to develop the idle blocks have been revoked, put into the basket and then awarded to new companies. Over 50 of such fallow fields were revoked. This was done in a transparent manner as attested to by operators and NEITI, the govt agency that is saddled with the responsibility of promoting transparency in the oil and gas sector. However, beyond the enforcement of law, the NUPRC saw the need to hold an onboarding programme for the new awardees that have inherited these new blocks. The list includes oil majors like TotalEnergies which won PPL 2000 and 2001; Sahara Energy which won PPL 270 and 271; First E&P which was awarded PPL 2003 and 2006, MRS which won PPL 303; as well as new entrants in the sector. About 22 companies in all. The idea behind the onboarding programme is to ensure that these companies learn from the mistakes of past operators and previous holders of these blocks who failed to develop their assets. As a business enabler, the NUPRC is focused primarily on ensuring that these new licensees move from exploration within 18 months and within five years, add 250,000 barrels per day to the national crude oil volume, creating jobs for the Nigerian people and more revenue for the government. The NUPRC Commission Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has restated the October 31, 2026 deadline for companies who were awarded oil and gas blocks but have not yet developed them. The drill or drop provision will take full effect and the undeveloped blocks will be relinquished to the Federation and awarded to those who will work the assets. It’s day 2 of the onboarding programme. Thank you sou much for your interest in our activities. Follow the NUPRC on our social media platforms to watch live as NUPRC subject matter experts and external industry veterans discuss how to develop your oil and gas blocks within the shortest possible time. youtube.com/live/VP0SdUBi9TU… #DrillorDrop #EnergyReforms #NUPRC

16-year-old Victory Elemele, a student of Comprehensive Secondary School , Ogbobu, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) in Rivers State had a frustrating learning experience in school. The school building was dilapidated. The roof was completely damaged and they had to sit on floors to learn because there were no desks or chairs. In fact, there was no toilet Whenever it rained, water not only drenched her clothes but also her books and she often returned home looking dirty. Ultimately, she did not want to continue attending school. Today, the learning process has improved tremendously thanks to the Obagi Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) incorporated by TotalEnergies that renovated and equipped the school. The Petroleum Industry Act says 3% of the operating expenditure of oil companies from the preceding year must be used for the benefit of host communities. Through an effective enforcement of the HCDT provisions by the NUPRC, over 1000 projects have been initiated in less than 4 years, bringing succor back to neglected oil communities. #NUPRCat5 #EnergyReforms #NUPRC

#CustomerService Week: Eyesan Urges NUPRC Staff to Go the Extra Mile The Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has urged staff of the Commission to go the extra mile in the performance of their duties. Eyesan said this at a conference organised in commemoration of Customer Service Week 2026. The NUPRC boss who was represented by the Director, Host Community, Mrs. Ejioro Ufondu, said the theme ‘Going the extra mile’ was instructive. “Going the extra mile is not simply about doing more; it is about doing better, responding faster, taking ownership, and making a meaningful difference in the experience of those we serve.  We take regulating the industry as a service,” she said. The chief executive said it is time for the Commission to reaffirm its commitment to its core values which include service excellence, professionalism, responsiveness, ownership and integrity. According to the CCE, as a regulator, the Commission’s stakeholders are diverse which include operators, host communities, government institutions, service providers, the Nigerian people and the global upstream industry. The responsibility of the NUPRC goes beyond processing applications and granting approvals but is also about creating a regulatory environment that is transparent, predictable, efficient, and supportive of sustainable investment, Eyesan said.   In her goodwill message, Mrs Helen Lawal, the Head of Admin and Acting National Coordinator, SERVICOM, commended the NUPRC for prioritizing customer satisfaction. The SERVICOM boss urged the Commission to continue to improve on its services in line with the SERVICOM charter. The conference was attended by the Head SERVICOM, NUPRC, Mrs. Muinat Bello; SERVICOM officers at the Commission, PENGASSAN leadership, directors and staff of the NUPRC. #EnergyReforms #NUPRC #LicensingRound2026

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Day 2 of the Onboarding for new PPL Holders has begun. Follow live youtube.com/live/VP0SdUBi9TU…

NUPRC Offers Support for New PPL Holders, Projects 250kbpd in Fresh Production The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has promised to support newly awarded holders of Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) emanating from the 2022/2023 and 2024 Licensing Rounds. With this renewed support, the NUPRC also expects the 22 awardees to contribute at least 250,000 barrels of oil per day to the national production volume. The Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said this in Lagos on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at a two-day onboarding workshop for the new awardees themed, ‘From Award to Production: Delivering Nigeria’s Upstream Potential Under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021’. Fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the event, Eyesan said the Commission decided to organise the onboarding programme in order to guide new awardees. “For this set of awardees, we are expecting nothing less than 250,000 barrels per day in the next five years at least from the 22 awards,” Eyesan said, adding that Nigeria remains on course to hit 3mmbopd by 2030. Eyesan advised the new awardees to learn from the successes and mistakes of past winners. She restated the October 31, 2026 deadline for the revocation of idle oil and gas Licences in line with the drill or drop provision enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act. Read more when you visit: nuprc.gov.ng/media/news/9dd6…

Regulatory clarity, certainty and business enablement are not merely words but the very cornerstone of the NUPRC’s culture as attested to by @BBOjulari , the GCEO of @nnpclimited Nigeria’s largest oil producing company. We definitely will not be sitting on our laurels. #NUPRCat5 #Energyreforms #LicensingRound2026

Miss Eric Uwoon Awaji- Ikatele a 16-year-old student of Community Secondary School, Ikuru Town in Rivers State dreams of becoming a medical doctor. However, learning had been difficult due to the dilapidated state of her school and the absence of an equipped laboratory. Today, the learning process has improved thanks to the Ikuru Town Host Community Development Trust incorporated by Green Energy, that renovated and equipped the school. The Petroleum Industry Act says 3% of the operating expenditure of oil companies from the preceding year must be used for the benefit of host communities. Through an effective enforcement of the HCDT provision by the NUPRC, over 1000 projects have been initiated in just 4 years, bringing succor back to neglected oil communities and reducing sabotage on oil facilities by 90%. #NUPRCat5 #EnergyReforms #NUPRC

Oil and gas exploration is capital intensive across the world. To improve the ease of doing business, the NUPRC has been having talks with financial institutions to provide funding for operators. Mr Emeka Nkwonta, Group Head, Energy, at @myaccessbank , says Access Bank has committed over $5 billion to local players. Listen as he explains how you can benefit. #EnergyReforms #NUPRCat5 #LicensingRound2026

The NUPRC has gone fully digital in the area of approvals which has greatly reduced turnaround time. The Commission is also working closely with multi-client companies to ensure seismic data availability in order to derisk exploration . Watch as Director, Acreage Management, Engineer Olaide Shaw, explains how the NUPRC is enabling business. #EnergyReforms #NUPRCat5 #LicensingRound2026

Is Nigeria ready for an upward review of its OPEC quota after “showing working” for 5 consecutive months? The OPEC Governor for Nigeria, Mr Ademola Adeyemi-Bero tells us what he thinks. #NUPRCat5 #EnergyReforms #OPEC #LicensingRound2026

Nigeria Meets OPEC Quota for 5th Consecutive Month as Daily Peak Hits 1.84m Barrels in September Nigeria produced a daily average of 1, 717, 030 barrels of crude oil and condensate in the month of September 2026 representing a 2.34% increase when compared to the previous month. Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) also shows that single day production hit a peak of 1.84m barrels in the month as Nigeria consolidated its position as Africa’s largest crude oil producer. The lowest single day production in the month was 1.68 million barrels In strict crude oil terms (excluding condensate), Nigeria produced an average of 1.53mobpd in the month under review. This constitutes 102% of the 1.5mobpd set by OPEC. Read more when you visit nuprc.gov.ng/media/news/6106… #NUPRC #EnergyReforms #NUPRCat5 #LicensingRound2026

Nigeria plans to produce 3 million barrels of crude oil per day by 2030. Watch as @ExxonMobil_NG Chairman, Mr. Jagir Baxi, explains his company’s role in helping Nigeria meet this target. #EnergyReforms #3mmbopd #NUPRCat5 #LicensingRound2026