Nigeria to start reclaiming inactive oil licences on Oct 30, 2026 under 'drill or drop' rule

On 30 October 2026 the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) will begin reclaiming oil licences whose holders have not met activity deadlines under its 'drill or drop' enforcement. The regulator says reclaimed blocks could, if redeveloped, add roughly 250,000 barrels per day to Nigeria's output over five years.

If enforced and re-awarded to better-resourced operators, the policy could release undeveloped blocks back into the market and eventually boost Nigerian crude supply. Actual output gains—and timing—depend on new operators meeting work programmes, securing finance and completing field work; reclamation alone does not guarantee near-term production or immediate impact on global oil prices.

NUPRC to publish final regulatory dispositions (revocations, conversions or re-awards) for affected 2026 licences.