Nigeria Targets 600,000 Barrels Daily Boost as NUPRC Approves 28 Field Development Plans
By Naija Enquirer Staff
Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity is set to rise by about 600,000 barrels per day following the approval of 28 new Field Development Plans (FDPs) by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in 2025.
The additional output will also deliver more than 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, according to the Commission’s Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, who made the announcement at the 2025 World Energies Summit organised by Frontier Energy Network in London.
“In 2025 alone, 28 new Field Development Plans have already been approved, unlocking an additional 1.4 billion barrels of oil and 5.4 trillion cubic feet of gas,” Komolafe stated. “These projects are expected to add nearly 600,000 barrels of oil per day and more than 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, supported by $18.2 billion in committed capital expenditure.”
He noted that the development demonstrates Nigeria’s upstream sector is on a strong growth trajectory, attracting the scale of investment needed to sustain its role as a global energy hub.
Reforms Driving Sector Growth
Komolafe explained that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, bold reforms and strategic policies are being implemented to turn industry challenges into opportunities, particularly amid global pressures for energy transition.
He urged investors to take advantage of the vast opportunities ahead of the launch of Nigeria’s next oil licensing round.
Highlighting the dividends of reforms, Komolafe disclosed that the Commission has successfully executed initiatives such as the 2022 Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs), the Mini-Bid Round for deep offshore blocks, and the 2024 Licensing Round, which was praised for transparency by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
Rising Production and Investment Confidence
According to the NUPRC boss, rig activity in Nigeria’s upstream sector has surged from just eight in 2021 to 70 in 2025, with 41 currently drilling on site. Production has also risen from 1.46 million barrels per day in October 2024 to around 1.8 million barrels per day.
He further noted that major Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) such as the $5 billion Bonga North Project and the $500 million Ubeta Gas Project reflect renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Anchoring Growth on Reforms and Energy Transition
Komolafe emphasised that energy transition remains an energy security issue for Africa, explaining that Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative aligns with this goal. He pointed out that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 has redefined fiscal clarity, competitiveness, and investor confidence through transparent and ethical governance.
Since its establishment under the PIA, NUPRC has issued 24 globally benchmarked regulations to restore confidence and stability in the sector. The three Executive Orders signed by President Tinubu in 2024 have further incentivised investment across the oil and gas value chain.
Embedding Climate Responsibility
Komolafe added that Nigeria is embedding climate responsibility in its upstream reforms through a robust decarbonisation framework featuring Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems, carbon capture and storage, and access to carbon markets.
He also highlighted that the effective administration of the Host Communities provisions of the PIA has strengthened trust, cooperation, and stability in producing areas.
“As we prepare to launch Nigeria’s next block licensing round, I extend a warm invitation to our local and global partners to join us in this journey,” Komolafe concluded.
