Nigeria is set to attract between $30 billion and $50 billion in investment from 22 major offshore oil and gas projects scheduled to launch between 2026 and 2030.
The Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, stated this in Lagos on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE 2026).
Represented by Executive Commissioner for Development and Production, Engineer Enorense Amadasu, Eyesan said the upcoming wave of projects is expected to significantly boost production, generate employment, and fortify national energy security.
According to the NUPRC chief, the upstream regulator has approved over $57 billion in Field Development Plans (FDPs) since 2024, several of which have already translated into Final Investment Decisions (FIDs).
“Since 2024, the NUPRC has approved over US$57 billion in Field Development Plans (FDPs), some of which have translated to Final Investment Decisions. Twenty-two (22) major offshore projects are expected between 2026 and 2030 with an estimated investment potential of $30–50 billion,” Eyesan stated.
“Beyond increasing production, these investments will create jobs, expand infrastructure, strengthen energy security and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a leading global upstream investment destination.”
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The NUPRC chief emphasised that Nigeria is not only developing its proven reserves but also building a resilient energy future by sustaining a robust pipeline of exploration opportunities.
She pointed out that since 2022, successive licensing rounds have opened access to the nation’s most prospective oil and gas acreages. She cited the recent 2025 Licensing Round, in which 31 companies emerged as successful bidders for 37 blocks after a rigorous, data-driven, and technology-enabled evaluation process.
Eyesan added that the forthcoming 2026 Licensing Round, already in preparation, promises even greater interest due to the transparency that has come to define Nigeria’s bidding processes.
“With preparations already underway for the 2026 Licensing Round, Nigeria is demonstrating that investment certainty is no longer an aspiration; it is becoming an enduring feature of our regulatory framework,” she said.
Acknowledging that infrastructure deficits continue to undermine Africa’s energy potential, Eyesan outlined Nigeria’s strategy to overcome this challenge.
According to her, the country is expanding gas gathering systems, processing facilities, pipelines, and export infrastructure, while promoting shared facilities, open access, third-party access, and field tiebacks to reduce costs, accelerate project delivery, and maximize existing infrastructure utilization—ultimately bringing stranded oil and gas resources into production.
She also credited stronger collaboration among government agencies, security forces, operators, host communities, and private partners—alongside the Host Community Development Trust—with improving the protection of critical energy assets, making Nigeria’s upstream sector more resilient and secure for long-term growth.
Victor Ezeja is a Nigerian journalist skilled in producing insightful news analyses, feature stories, and interviews that simplify complex issues and drive informed public discourse. His work combines rigorous research, balanced reporting, and compelling storytelling to highlight developments shaping industries and society. Victor, who holds a Master's Degree in Mass Communication, specializes in energy, aviation, business, and economic reporting. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X