NUPRC awards 37 oil blocks despite threats, warns against delays
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NUPRC has announced 31 companies as winners of 37 oil and gas blocks in the 2025 Licensing Round. This concludes an eight-month process, with winning firms now required to pay signature bonuses and meet other post-award conditions within 90 days to avoid forfeiture. Commission Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan revealed that the evaluation team faced sustained threats and intimidation throughout the process, which she stated persisted until the eve of the commercial bid opening. She emphasized the credibility and transparency of the process, which President Bola Tinubu had mandated. The commission reported that 143 companies submitted approximately 200 bids for 37 out of 50 offered assets. Notable successful companies include SSonic Petroleum Limited, CFP Pipeline and Flowlines, Dutchford E&P Limited, and Asharami. These companies are preferred bidders and will receive Petroleum Prospecting Licences after fulfilling all statutory conditions, including payment of the signature bonus and approval from the Minister of Petroleum Resources. Eyesan warned that failure to meet these conditions within 90 days would lead to the awards being invalidated and reserve bidders being invited. The commercial bid process utilized an automated weighted scoring system to ensure transparency and eliminate human interference. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Oil, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, highlighted that the Petroleum Industry
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Must ReadMrs. Olabisi Joseph, President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation NSSF, has been elected Continental President for Africa of the International School Sport Federation ISF. Her election took place during the 2026 ISF General Assembly in Belgrade, Serbia, where 79 votes were cast by 82 attending countries. This marks a historic moment as she is the first African woman and the first woman in ISF history to hold a continental leadership position. The NSSF, through its Secretary-General Ijeoma Olopade, congratulated Joseph and pledged full support for her tenure, emphasizing her role in advancing school sports for African children. Joseph previously made history in 2019 as the first female president of the NSSF, winning unopposed, and was re-elected for a second term in 2024.
Nigeria's U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, have arrived in Ivory Coast for the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship, where they will defend their title. The team landed in Abidjan on Monday and then traveled by road to Yamoussoukro, the host city, where they are currently camped at the Trio Corridor Hotel. Their campaign begins on Monday against Ghana鈥檚 Black Satellites at the Lyc茅e Scientifique. This match is a rematch of the 2024 final in Lom茅, which Nigeria won 2-1. Coached by Aliyu Zubairu, the Flying Eagles will also play against Togo鈥檚 Sparrow Hawks on Thursday and conclude their Group B fixtures on Sunday, August 2, against Burkina Faso鈥檚 Young Stallions. The team aims to successfully retain the WAFU B crown as part of their preparations for upcoming continental assignments.
Travel disruptions caused by a cancelled flight from the United States delayed the arrival of Super Falcons midfielder Deborah Abiodun and forward Gift Monday at Nigeria's training camp in Casablanca. The Nigeria Football Federation had to purchase new tickets for the players after their initial flight was cancelled due to technical reasons. Despite this setback, the Super Falcons' camp grew to 23 players with the Tuesday afternoon arrival of forward Folashade Ijamilusi from China. Ijamilusi, who plays for Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, scored twice in the previous Women's Africa Cup of Nations, including Nigeria's equalizer in their 3-2 comeback victory against Morocco in the final. Abiodun and Gift Monday are expected to complete coach Justine Madugu's 25-player squad for the tournament. The 10-time African champions are preparing at the La Noria Club in Casablanca before moving to Rabat for their Group C matches against Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt. Nigeria, as defending champions, will begin their title defense against Malawi on Tuesday, July 28, followed by matches against Zambia on Saturday, August 1, and Egypt four days later. This tournament also serves as the African qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists automatically qualifying and one additional team securing a spot through intercontinental play-offs.