Niger – Delta Development Commission (Establishment)(Amendment) Act 2017: Matters Arising

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), pursuant to Section 167, the Third and Fourth Schedule of the Petroleum Industry Act...

Nigeria's oil and gas sector offers significant investment opportunities, but foreign companies must navigate one of Africa's most comprehensive local content regimes. Understanding the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010 and its enforcement mechanisms is essential for lawful market entry, contract awards, and sustainable operations in this resource-rich jurisdiction.

The Petroleum Industry Act 2021 ("PIA") has fundamentally restructured Nigeria's upstream petroleum licensing framework. Among other reforms, it replaced the previous licensing regime of the Petroleum Act (PA) and changed the licence type nomenclature with the introduction of the Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL), Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL), and Petroleum Mining Lease (PML).

A free zone company is a company registered and situated in a free zone. A free zone is a designated geographical area within a country where companies set up to enjoy exemptions or reduced taxes, customs duties, and regulations.

Gas flaring has been a source of pollution in the Niger Delta region for more than six decades, polluting the atmosphere the soil, and eroding the lives of communities living in one of the most oil-rich regions in Africa. The Nigerian government's efforts at solving this environmental problem have been characterized by delay and capture. The enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act 20212 represents the most ambitious legislative attempt yet to bring routine flaring to an end, through an explicit statutory prohibition, mandatory monetisation planning, and a new institutional architecture anchored around the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.

The above definition accommodates any international or Nigerian company that is operating in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has filed a lawsuit against Nigeria's Federal Government challenging petroleum import licences issued by the regulatory authority, claiming they violate court orders and undermine domestic refining capacity. With the refinery supplying over 81% of national fuel demand in early 2026, this legal battle raises critical questions about Nigeria's path to energy independence and the balance between supporting local production and maintaining competitive fuel markets. The outcome cou

Nigeria's 2026 Net Billing Regulations represent a transformative shift in the country's energy landscape, enabling businesses to transition from passive electricity consumers to active prosumers who can generate, consume, and sell solar power back to the grid. This regulatory framework introduces new opportunities and considerations for commercial entities looking to invest in renewable energy infrastructure. Understanding the legal and operational implications of these regulations is crucial for businesse

A court ruling on 28 September 2026 has forced Nigeria’s fuel regulator to continue licensing fuel importers, Dangote’s competitors. Dangote is simultaneously suing the government to stop those same licences from being issued.

The Petroleum Industry Act 2021 separated upstream regulation from midstream and downstream regulation, but how does that separation apply to pipeline infrastructure that sits between production, transportation, processing and export? This analysis examines the statutory basis of pipeline licensing after Executive Order No. 9 of 2026, how jurisdiction is allocated between the NUPRC and the NMDPRA, and what this means for operators, lenders and project sponsors.