Nigeria has launched a major licensing round offering 220 oil blocks across its onshore and offshore basins, aiming to fast-track exploration, production, and investment in its energy sector.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said the round includes 59 deepwater offshore blocks, with the rest spread across key basins such as the Benue Trough (41), Chad Basin (40), Sokoto Basin (28), Bida Basin (16), Anambra Basin (13), Benin Basin (8), and onshore Niger Delta (8). Seven additional offshore Niger Delta blocks are also available.

To accelerate development, the regulator has introduced a “cluster and nodal” model that encourages shared infrastructure, joint field development, and greater use of locally made equipment and technology. NUPRC chief executive Gbenga Komolafe said the approach will unlock marginal and stranded resources while driving production growth and attracting long-term investors.

Nigeria’s oil output hit 1.8 million barrels per day in July under the “Project One Million Barrels per Day Initiative,” supported by measures such as coordinated maintenance and produced water management to improve production efficiency.

The licensing round also aligns with the country’s sustainability agenda, including a seven-pillar decarbonisation framework that enforces strict rules on gas flaring, venting, and methane emissions. The commission is promoting digitalisation and advanced technology adoption to enhance exploration, cut emissions, and position Nigeria’s upstream sector as a globally competitive investment destination.

Executive commissioner Enorense Amadasu said the cluster strategy is designed to address operational and commercial bottlenecks in offshore development, creating “win-win” outcomes for the government, investors, and host communities.

By combining new licensing opportunities with infrastructure-sharing strategies and a push for cleaner operations, Nigeria aims to secure fresh capital, boost daily output, and future-proof its oil and gas industry.