The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has denied claims that more than 200 oil blocks across the country have been abandoned, clarifying that the blocks are still open for concession under the guidelines of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The clarification comes after reports circulated alleging that 220 oil blocks listed on the NUPRC’s official website had been neglected.
In a statement released Tuesday, the commission said the interpretation of the data was misleading and incorrect.
“The 220 blocks in question are not abandoned. They are awaiting the conclusion of licensing rounds and the fulfilment of statutory requirements before allocation to concessionaires,” the commission stated.
Out of a total of 243 listed blocks, 220 remain unawarded but are not inactive, the commission emphasized.
According to NUPRC, the publication was in line with transparency goals enshrined in the PIA, which mandates public disclosure of asset status in the upstream sector.
The commission further explained that licensing rounds will be held in due course, during which Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) and Petroleum Mining Leases (PMLs) will be granted to qualified investors.
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Recent media coverage suggesting the abandonment of these oil blocks, NUPRC said, stemmed from a misunderstanding of its published data.
It urged journalists to exercise due diligence and verify facts before publication — especially on sensitive national economic matters.
“The public is encouraged to visit our official website (https://www.nuprc.gov.ng/) for accurate updates on oil block concessions and related activities,” the statement read.
In December 2024, NUPRC CEO Gbenga Komolafe revealed that a fresh licensing round would be launched in 2025, focusing on “discovered but undeveloped fields” and assets deemed idle under the PIA’s “drill or drop” framework — a mechanism designed to reclaim and reassign dormant assets.
The commission reiterated its commitment to a transparent, competitive, and investor-friendly licensing process in the upstream oil and gas sector.