The deadline for submitting technical and commercial bids by prequalified applicants participating in Nigeria’s ongoing 2025 Licensing Round has been set for Friday, June 12, 2026, close of business.

This was disclosed by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), in a notice posted on its official X handle on Tuesday.

The Commission urged all qualified bidders to comply strictly with the timelines stipulated in the licensing guidelines.

“The NUPRC hereby notifies the general public that submission of Technical and Commercial Bids by Prequalified Applicants for the 2025 Licensing Round closes on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 16:30 hours (WAT) in line with the 2025 Licensing Round Guidelines,” the notice read.

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The commission advised interested stakeholders to obtain further details through the official licensing round portal.
“For more details, visit the licensing round portal: br2025.nuprc.gov.ng,” it added.

The announcement signals the transition of the exercise to one of its most critical phases, as investors compete for opportunities in Nigeria’s upstream sector amid renewed government efforts to attract capital and boost hydrocarbon production.

The two-stage process, qualification followed by bidding, requires shortlisted firms to lodge final proposals by the stated time.

The 2025 Licensing Round, conducted under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to unlock dormant hydrocarbon assets, deepen exploration activities and improve the country’s reserve base.

The successful completion of the technical and commercial bid stage would pave the way for the eventual award of oil blocks to successful applicants.

The Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has reinforced its position as Africa’s most influential corporate brand after emerging as the continent’s Most Admired African Brand for the eight consecutive years.

In the same vein, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, DIL, Anthony Chiejina, was named among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers.

The recognition was announced at the 16th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands rankings unveiled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The survey, regarded as Africa’s most comprehensive consumer-led brand study, covered 30 countries representing more than 85 per cent of the continent’s population and economic output.

In the latest rankings, Dangote emerged as Africa’s Most Admired Brand in aided recall, ahead of South Africa’s MTN and Vodacom. In the spontaneous recall category, it ranked second among African brands, behind MTN and ahead of Trade Kings. The Group also retained its position as Africa’s Most Admired Industrial Brand and was ranked the No. 1 African Brand Contributing to a Better Africa, ahead of MTN, DStv, Shoprite/Checkers and Trade Kings, reflecting its significant contribution to industrialisation, job creation, economic development and sustainable growth across the continent.

The rankings show Dangote’s growing influence as one of Africa’s most recognisable corporate brands, built on investments spanning cement, fertiliser, petrochemicals, energy, sugar, salt, packaging and logistics. Brand Africa noted that despite a modest rebound in African brand recognition, homegrown brands still account for only 15 per cent of Africa’s 100 most admired brands, highlighting the continued dominance of foreign brands across the continent.

Brand Africa Founder and Chairman, Thebe Ikalafeng, described the promotion and support of African brands as a critical economic imperative for the continent.

“Converting goodwill towards African contribution into admiration for African brands is the most urgent commercial opportunity for the continent. It is not enough for Africans to believe in Africa, they must buy Made-in-Africa,” he said.

The survey also ranked Dangote among Africa’s leading brands in sustainability and social impact, placing second in the category of brands recognised for doing good for society, people and the environment.

Despite the dominance of global brands across Africa, Dangote has cemented its position as one of the continent’s leading corporate brands, alongside MTN and Ethiopian Airlines. The three emerged as the highest ranked African brands in the 2026 Brand Africa rankings, standing out on a list dominated by global names such as Nike, Adidas, Samsung, Apple and Coca-Cola.

The achievement is notable given that African brands accounted for just 15 percent of the Top 100 rankings, compared with 38 percent for European brands, 28 percent for North American brands and 19 percent for Asian brands.

Further strengthening the Group’s standing, its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was selected for the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100) list, which recognises the continent’s most impactful marketing, brand and reputation leaders.

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The ACMO100 initiative, launched by Brand Africa in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD and the African Media Agency, honours marketing executives whose work is shaping Africa’s business narrative, strengthening brand equity and driving economic growth across the continent and the diaspora.

Chiejina was among only 20 executives selected from West Africa and one of 17 Nigerians recognised for their contribution to brand building, corporate reputation management and strategic communications.

According to Brand Africa, the selection process was based on independent research, industry impact, leadership influence and contribution to the growth of brands that shape consumer perceptions and economic outcomes across Africa.

The latest recognition adds to a growing list of honours for Dangote Industries, which was inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame last year for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over more than a decade. Its President and Chief Executive, Aliko Dangote, was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for championing industrialisation and building one of Africa’s most successful indigenous enterprises.

Caption: Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa, Thebe Ikalafeng; CEO, Dangote Cement Ethiopia, Danilo Trugillo; and President of the Ethiopian Marketing Professionals Association and Chief Marketing Officer of Population Services International, Fana Abay, display some of the awards won by Dangote Industries Limited during the 16th Brand Africa 100 Awards ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has projected that global airline profitability will decline sharply in 2026, citing war-related disruptions in the Middle East and rising jet fuel prices as key factors behind the downturn.

According to IATA’s latest outlook, airlines are expected to post a combined net profit of $23bn in 2026, nearly half of the $45bn estimated for 2025 and significantly below the earlier projection of $41bn for the year.

The association also noted that carriers in the Middle East are likely to slip into losses due to weak demand and operational disruptions, while airlines in other regions are expected to remain profitable, albeit at reduced levels.

On the outlook, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said, “War-related disruptions in the Middle East and rising fuel costs have shifted the outlook for airlines to the worst. Globally, airlines are expected to see profitability halve compared to 2025. Profits will shrink from $45bn in 2025 to $23bn this year.

“And margins will shrink from 4.2 percent to 2.0 percent. All airline bottom lines are suffering from the rapid 70 percent rise in jet fuel prices. Some of the additional cost is being recuperated by adjusting prices and improving efficiency, but it will not be sufficient to maintain profitability at the previous year’s level. Smaller carriers that started the year with weak balance sheets are certainly struggling.”

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Walsh added that the Middle East would be the only region expected to record losses. “At the regional level, all are in the black but with sharply reduced financial performance, with the exception of the Middle East. The Gulf carriers face operational uncertainty following a near-complete shutdown of airspace at the outbreak of the war. These carriers are doing an amazing job maintaining connectivity, but major financial impacts are unavoidable.

“Even in the best of times, the airline industry as a whole suffers from low margins and returns below the cost of capital. The oil price shock has tested airline financial resilience as net margins have been squeezed to 2.0 percent globally.

“Airlines are bearing the brunt of the fuel price shock. While air fares are rising, airlines are still absorbing part of the hike in their bottom lines. Net profit per passenger is expected to fall to $4.50, half of what it was last year. Under the circumstances, that shows resilience. But it won’t even buy you a hot dog at most of the FIFA World Cup venues, and it does not leave much of a buffer should other costs or taxes start rising.”

IATA further stated that the industry’s net profit margin would decline to 2.0 per cent in 2026, compared to 4.2 percent recorded in 2025 and below the previously projected 3.9 per cent. It added that net profit per passenger transported would drop to $4.50 in 2026 from $9.10 achieved in 2025.

The association projected that operating profit would fall to $48 billion in 2026 from $76.4 billion in 2025, while the net operating margin would decline to 4.1 percent from 7.2 percent over the same period.

The IATA also said the industry’s return on invested capital would decrease to 4.3 percent in 2026 from 6.6 percent in 2025, remaining below the estimated weighted average cost of capital of 8.5 percent.

According to the association, the gap underscores the structural challenges facing the global airline industry, where profitability shocks can quickly undermine capital efficiency.