Oil operators, licensees, lessees and helicopter service providers in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector will continue to pay a $300 levy for each helicopter landing, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has said.

The NUPRC disclosed this in a circular dated August 28, 2026, titled, ‘Outcome of the Ministerial Review Committee on the Helicopter Levy for Air Navigational Services.’

The circular followed concerns raised by the commission on behalf of upstream industry stakeholders regarding the introduction, structure and implementation of the helicopter levy for air navigational services.

The commission said the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, constituted a Ministerial Review Committee on March 9, 2026, to review the levy.

The committee comprised representatives from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA’s appointed collection consultant, and the NUPRC.

After reviewing the matter, the committee resolved to retain the helicopter levy at $300 per landing.

“The levy of $300 per landing is retained and remains payable to NAMA through its approved collection mechanism,” the commission stated.

The NUPRC further clarified that the Terminal Navigational Charge would apply only to helicopter landings at government-owned aerodromes.

The commission said the charge would not cover helicopter landings at private offshore facilities or oil and gas platforms.

“The Terminal Navigational Charge is payable only in respect of a landing at a government-owned aerodrome and does not apply to a landing at a private offshore facility or platform,” the circular stated.

However, it noted that the terminal charge would remain applicable to helicopter operations outside the upstream petroleum sector.

“It remains applicable to helicopter operations not undertaken in support of upstream petroleum operations,” it added.

The review was prompted by concerns raised by upstream operators over the financial and operational implications of the helicopter levy, which is collected by NAMA.

The NUPRC said it participated in the ministerial review alongside relevant aviation and security agencies, representing the interests of stakeholders in the upstream petroleum sector.