3 Things Every Oil and Gas Executive Should Do Before Nigeria’s Upstream Execution Phase Accelerates

Has your organisation positioned itself for Nigeria’s upstream execution phase – or will you wait until procurement opportunities begin before taking action?

Nigeria’s 2025 Licensing Round has concluded. Thirty-seven Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) have been awarded to 31 companies, while 13 blocks returned to the licensing pool after receiving no successful bids. The licensing process is complete. The execution cycle has begun.

For executives across engineering, drilling, procurement, logistics, manufacturing, and technical services, this marks the beginning of a multi-year programme of exploration, field development, construction, commissioning, and operations. The competitive question is no longer who secured the licences – it is which organisations are prepared to support project execution.

Executive Insight

Licence awards create asset owners. Execution creates commercial opportunities.

As operators move from regulatory approvals to field activities, demand will increasingly shift toward qualified suppliers, engineering partners, equipment providers, technical specialists, and logistics companies. Organisations that prepare before procurement accelerates are generally better positioned than those that respond only after tenders are issued.

1. Review Your NipeX Readiness

NipeX remains a key procurement gateway for Nigeria’s upstream industry.

Executive Action: Confirm that your organisation’s registration, supplier classifications, and company profile accurately reflect your current capabilities. Procurement visibility begins with procurement readiness.

2. Align Your Business with the Awarded Licence Holders

Not every licence holder will require the same services or follow the same execution timetable.

Executive Action: Prioritise the companies whose work programmes align with your technical expertise and develop an engagement strategy before procurement activities gain momentum.

3. Complete Technical and Commercial Readiness

Operators increasingly favour suppliers that are already qualified.

Executive Action: Review technical certifications, HSE documentation, insurance, quality systems, and prequalification requirements now rather than when procurement begins.

Executive Watchpoint

Monitor three developments over the coming months:

• Procurement activities initiated by awarded licence holders.

• Regulatory approvals supporting field development.

• Strategic partnerships that may influence project delivery, contractor selection, and procurement strategies.

These developments are likely to provide earlier indicators of commercial opportunities than licence announcements alone.

The organisations that benefit most from Nigeria’s upstream execution phase are unlikely to be those that react first – they are more likely to be those that prepared first. Is your organisation already positioned for the next stage of Nigeria’s upstream industry, or will competitors establish the relationships before you do?