The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) made significant progress in the conduct of the 2022–2023 Mini Bid Round and the 2024 Licensing Round, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said.
NEITI said that following an independent observation and monitoring of the pre-qualification and technical bid processes of the two bid rounds, in line with its statutory mandate under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Standard, it observed that the NUPRC recorded “notable improvements in inclusivity, as, and procedural integrity.”
The highlights of the observations were part of an Advisory Report presented to the NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) at its statutory meeting in Umuahia, Abia State on May 9, 2025.
The report described the licensing rounds as “significant milestones in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector, designed to attract credible investments, unlock hydrocarbon potential, and advance national development objectives.”
Also, the report noted that the licensing process was generally professional, transparent, and inclusive, with adherence to published criteria as required by the PIA and EITI provisions.
It said that special concessions granted to indigenous and emerging firms were duly acknowledged as a progressive step that enhanced stakeholder participation and public confidence.
However, NEITI’s report also identified areas the NUPRC needs to improve upon in future exercises.
These include the need to strengthen the evaluation methodology and metrics; enhance transparency in result disclosure; improve public access to bidder information; ensure full disclosure of beneficial ownership, and integrate technical and commercial value assurance in evaluations.
Besides, the report offered actionable recommendations to bolster future licensing rounds, emphasizing transparent disclosures, standardized scoring, and consistent stakeholder engagement.
The Executive Secretary of NEITI, .lDr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said: “The NSWG commended NUPRC’s cooperation with NEITI and encouraged the adoption of the recommendations outlined in the advisory.
“We remain committed to working collaboratively with regulators, civil society, and industry stakeholders to institutionalize transparency, good governance, and sustainable development in Nigeria’s extractive industries.”
Meanwhile, the NEITI adopted the Energy Transition and Climate Accountability Framework presented to the Board at the meeting.
The framework was developed in alignment with Nigeria’s national energy transition plan, global climate obligations under the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the 2023 EITI Standard.
The framework redefines NEITI’s role in the energy transition agenda, introducing a transparent and accountable mechanism for tracking greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks and monitoring divestments by International Oil Companies (IOCs).
The framework has provisions for NEITI overseeing the implementation of Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) under the PIA; promoting just transition planning and climate disclosures; aligning NEITI’s reports with national climate instruments, including NDCs and the Energy Transition Plan
“The framework positions Nigeria at the forefront of climate-compliant resource governance,” Dr. Orji added. “It is our bold response to the urgent need for transparency in how oil investments and divestments affect host communities and the environment.”
To operationalize this policy, NEITI said it has outlined key implementation steps covering oil, gas, and solid minerals reporting, stakeholder engagement, institutional coordination, and bi-annual performance reviews.
The framework, NEITI explained, was developed with support from the Ford Foundation as part of NEITI’s ongoing study on the impact of energy transition on Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy.
NEITI assured all stakeholders that it would continue to lead reforms that align resource governance with global sustainability imperatives, while ensuring social and environmental justice across Nigeria’s extractive sector.
