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FG Reduces Oil Block Entry Costs To $3M

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As the 2025 licensing round gets underway, the Federal Government has reduced the signature bonus from $10m to $3m and $7m. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission disclosed this in an update on its website.

According to the commission, this was part of the government’s efforts to reduce entry barriers. “Interested in one of the oil blocks listed for the 2025 Licensing Round? The Nigerian government has graciously reduced the signature bonus to between $3m and $7m.

“All bidders shall be required to submit a bid within a range of $3m and $7m as approved by the minister of petroleum for the reduction of entry barriers,” the commission said.

The PUNCH recalls that in 2024, the government slashed the signature bonus payable by successful bidders from around $200m to $10m. The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, stated that the NUPRC surveyed what other countries like Brazil demand as signature bonuses from would-be investors and discovered the need to slash that of Nigeria.

A signature bonus is a non-refundable payment made by a contractor to the government upon the signing of an agreement. Firms who are awarded oil or gas sassets are expected to pay signature bonuses to the government.

The NUPRC disclosed last year that an investment in Deepwater would attract $10m as a signature bonus, while shallow water and onshore attract $7m. It appears the figures have been reduced further to $7m and $3m, respectively.

It was added that the signature bonus cannot be paid in naira. “The designated signature bonus account is United States dollar-denominated,” the NUPRC mentioned.

The regulator stated that the winners of this licensing round will be awarded a Petroleum Prospecting License, which confers to the holder the exclusive right to drill exploration and appraisal wells; the non-exclusive right to carry out petroleum exploration operations within the area provided for in the license; and the right to carry away and dispose of crude oil or natural gas won or extracted during the drilling of exploration or appraisal wells as a result of production tests.

It clarified that the license is for “an initial duration of three years, with a possible extension of another three years for onshore and shallow waters, while it is five years for deep water and frontier.”

The commission disclosed that it has adopted a two-stage bidding process for the award of the blocks, saying the bidding process shall comprise a qualification stage and a bid stage.

“The qualification stage involves the submission and evaluation of applications by interested parties or consortia in accordance with the Regulation and the Guidelines.

“Applicants shall provide all information required for this stage. Only applicants who are adjudged qualified and subsequently shortlisted by the commission shall proceed to the bid stage and will be required to execute a Confidentiality Agreement prior to participation.

“At the bid stage, shortlisted applicants or bidders shall submit their technical and commercial bids in accordance with the regulation, the guidelines, and any other bidding documents issued by the commission.”

The regulator warned that no bidder, whether participating individually or as a member of any consortium, shall submit applications for more than two assets in total across all applications.

“Participation in more than one consortium shall count towards this limit. For the avoidance of doubt, where a company has equity, direct or indirect ownership, or management involvement in multiple consortium vehicles, all such applications shall be aggregated and treated as a single bidder’s application,” it was stated.

NUPRC informed that there are 50 blocks covering the onshore, shallow water, and deep offshore areas.

“The blocks on offer are: PPL 2A29; PPL 2A30; PPL 2A31; PPL 2A32; PPL 2A33; PPL 2A34; PPL 2A35; PPL 2A36; PPL 2A37; PPL 2A38; PPL 2A39; PPL 2A40; PPL 2A41; PPL 2A42; PPL 2A43; PPL 2A44; PPL 2A45; PPL 2A46; PPL 2A47; PPL 2A48; PPL 2A49; PPL 2A50; PPL 2A51; PPL 2A52; PPL 2A53; PPL 2A54; PPL 2A55; PPL 2A56; PPL 2A57; PPL 2A58; PPL 2A59; PPL 2A60; PPL 2A61; PPL 2A62; PPL 2010; and PPL 307.”

Others are “PPL 308; PPL 309; PPL 900; PPL 901; PPL 902; PPL 903; PPL 700; PPL 701; PPL 702; PPL 703; PPL 800; PPL 801; PPL 802; and PPL 803.”

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RVEALED: Meet The Owners of Nigeria’s Commercial Private Jet Companies

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In the past two decades, Nigeria’s skyline has become an unexpected stage for a drastic rise in private aviation, as reported by Nairametrics

What was once a rare symbol of elite mobility has grown into a fleet of well over a hundred business jets crisscrossing domestic and international routes.

According to industry figures, the number of private business aircraft operating in the country climbed from just 44 in 2005 to 157 by 2024, a surge of more than 350% that reflects both expanding wealth and shifting travel habits among the nation’s affluent.

Flying a private jet is not just about convenience; it’s about connecting business faster, offering access where commercial airlines cannot, flexibility, and providing a level of service that combines luxury, reliability, and exclusivity.

These jets allow business moguls, musicians, athletes, and other high-net-worth individuals to move quickly, either for work or leisure.

Flying a private jet is costly; flights start at around $3,000 and above, depending on the aircraft, distance, and level of luxury, making these jets accessible to only a select group of Nigeria’s economic elite.

The private jet business in Nigeria is built on relationships, trust, and discretion. Most clients come through referrals, with operators rarely advertising broadly.

Every flight is a careful balance of strict safety standards, experienced crews, and regulatory compliance from air operator certificates to international operational approvals.

This article explores the individuals driving Nigeria’s private jet market, investing heavily in one of the most elite forms of personal transport.

Here are the owners of commercial private jet companies in Nigeria

11. Yemi MacGregor- Stargate Jets Services Limited
10. Segun Demuren- Founder, Evergreen Apple Nigeria
9. Chukwuerika Achum- Founder, Falcon Aerospace Limited
8. Sam Iwuajoku- Founder, Quits Aviation Services and CEO ExecuJet Aviation Nigeria
7. Atedo Peterside- Founder, Anap Business Jets Limited
6. Samuel Salihu – CEO Private Business Jet Charter
5. Wisdom Ntoto – CEO Jetlyfe Aviation Ltd
4. Captain Ahmed Borodo- CEO Flybird Aviation
3. Dr. Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi -CEO Nesto Aviation Services Limited
2. Captain Edward Boyo –CEO Landover / Overland Airways
1. Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich- Founder, Elin Group Limited

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Black Market Naira To Dollar Exchange Rate Today 12th January 2026

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What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange rate at the black market, also known as the parallel market (Aboki fx)?

You can swap your dollar for Naira at these rates.

How much is a dollar to naira today in the black market?

The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players buy a dollar for N1490 and sell at N1505 on Sunday, 11th January 2026 according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).

Black Market Exchange Rate Today 12th January, 2026
Buying Rate N1485
Selling Rate N1500

The exchange rate between the US dollar (USD) and the Nigerian naira (NGN) which rate we have given above; is a topic of high constant interest for people who are Nigerian and businesses and policymakers in Nigeria.

This rate of dollars to naira exchange rate influences not only the cost of imported goods but also the cost of travel, international education, and even local prices of certain commodities.

Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.

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BREAKING: Petrol Depot Owners Crash Prices To Cheapest; Details Emerge

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Petrol prices at Nigerian depots have dropped to their lowest levels in months as intense competition grips the downstream market, following the apparent collapse of the fuel supply agreement between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and independent marketers.

Fresh findings show that depot owners have slashed ex-depot prices to as low as N710 per litre, a sharp reversal from the steep hikes recorded just weeks earlier.,

In the first week of January 2026, depot owners sharply increased gantry prices after reports emerged that the Dangote Refinery had shut down its petrol production unit for maintenance.

Although the refinery denied the reports, the speculation was enough to jolt the market.

Depot prices surged, and the increases quickly filtered through to filling stations nationwide.

Independent marketers raised gantry prices from around N720 per litre to over N800 per litre, with analysts noting that depot operators were exploiting uncertainty surrounding Africa’s largest refinery.

Depot owners reverse course as competition intensifies
The price spike, however, has proven short-lived.

Checks reveal that depot owners have now reversed course, cutting prices aggressively to stay competitive with Dangote Refinery’s pricing structure, especially as fresh fuel imports enter the Nigerian market.

Data from PetroleumPriceNG shows that several major depots reduced prices significantly in recent days.

As of Sunday, January 11, 2026, ShellPlux sold petrol at N710 per litre, MAO at N715, while A.Y.M.

Falling crude oil prices add more pressure
Energy experts say global oil market dynamics are also contributing to the decline in local petrol prices.

“Crude oil is currently trading between $50 and $60 per barrel in the international market,” energy policy analyst Adeola Yusuf told Legit.ng.

According to him, ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Venezuela and Iran have pushed crude prices lower, with direct implications for refined fuel costs.

“Crude oil is often used as a political tool and is highly sensitive to geopolitical developments. When prices drop, refined product prices usually follow, especially in domestic markets,” Yusuf explained.

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