Benue South joins Nigeria’s oil map as Otukpo, Apa, Okpokwu secure three exploration blocks

Benue South has taken a historic step into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry after three petroleum exploration blocks covering Otukpo, Apa and Okpokwu Local Government Areas were awarded during the 2025 oil and gas licensing round, ending more than 70 years of waiting for renewed exploration in the state, NationalRecord reports.

IDOMA VOICE observed that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) awarded the three Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) as part of the 37 oil and gas blocks allocated to successful bidders nationwide, positioning Benue among Nigeria’s emerging frontier exploration destinations.

The development marks the first time multiple petroleum prospecting licences with surface footprints in Benue State have been awarded simultaneously.

The awarded blocks include PPL 800, which covers parts of Otukpo and Apa Local Government Areas in the Southern Benue Trough and was awarded to Dakoda & U Limited.

PPL 801, also located within the Southern Benue Trough, was won by Eyre Energy Limited, while PPL 902, situated in the Anambra Basin with its surface footprint in Okpokwu Local Government Area, was awarded to South-borne Oil and Gas Limited.

The awards revive petroleum exploration in Benue more than seven decades after the first exploratory wells were drilled in the state.

Historical records show that Ochekwu River-1 in present-day Otukpo/Apa axis was drilled in 1954, alongside Adoka-1, Bopo-1 and Okpaya-1 between 1954 and 1967 by Shell and TotalEnergies. Another historic well, Opiarum-1, was drilled at Opialu in Edumoga, Okpokwu LGA, in 1955, but commercial production never materialised.

Industry experts believe the new licensing round could pave the way for fresh seismic surveys, appraisal drilling and possible commercial oil and gas production if economically viable reserves are confirmed.

The NUPRC described the 2025 licensing round as historic because frontier inland basins—including the Benue Trough and Anambra Basin—attracted strong investor interest alongside Nigeria’s traditional Niger Delta oil-producing region.

Overall, 31 companies emerged successful bidders for 37 of the 50 blocks offered after 143 companies submitted nearly 200 bids during the licensing exercise.

Although Benue secured three exploration blocks, two additional blocks within the Benue Trough—PPL 802 and PPL 803—received no bids and have been returned to the government’s licensing basket for future rounds.

Under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, host communities stand to benefit from the Host Communities Development Trust if exploration progresses to commercial production, opening opportunities for infrastructure development, employment and economic growth in Otukpo, Apa and Okpokwu.

However, the awards are yet to become final. The successful companies are required to pay the prescribed signature bonuses and obtain approval from the Minister of Petroleum Resources before the licences become effective.

If the regulatory requirements are met and exploration proceeds successfully, Benue could witness active oil and gas operations for the first time in over 70 years, formally placing Benue South on Nigeria’s oil map.