President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the issuance of new oil exploration licences for the northern region of Nigeria, in a strategic move aimed at expanding the country’s hydrocarbon frontiers and boosting energy security.
The licences, granted under the Nigerian Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), mark a significant step in the government’s ongoing push to diversify oil production zones beyond the traditional Niger Delta basin. Industry insiders say the approvals pave the way for full-scale operations in oil-rich basins in states such as Bauchi, Gombe, and parts of Borno.
In a statement released on [Insert Date], the presidency confirmed that the move aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes energy sector reform, investment in frontier exploration, and regional economic inclusion.
“The approval of these licences signals this administration’s commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s full resource potential across all geopolitical zones,” said a senior official in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
The development has been welcomed by northern leaders and energy sector stakeholders, who view it as a long-awaited opportunity to stimulate industrial growth, create jobs, and increase internally generated revenue (IGR) in the region.
“With the North now on the map of oil-producing regions, we anticipate a new wave of infrastructure, investment, and economic transformation,” said Dr. Ibrahim Isa, an energy analyst based in Kaduna. “What matters now is ensuring transparency and sustainability.”
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has already made preliminary discoveries in the Kolmani and Chad Basin regions, and the latest licences are expected to fast-track development and attract local and foreign investment.
Analysts, however, caution that environmental concerns, community engagement, and security logistics must be addressed proactively to ensure smooth operations and avoid pitfalls seen in other oil-rich regions.
The licences are part of broader reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), aimed at liberalizing Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, encouraging competition, and attracting private capital.
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