Nigeria’s oil production hits 74-month high, surpasses OPEC quota

Nigeria’s crude oil production has climbed to its highest level in more than six years, surpassing the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota for the fourth consecutive month.

Latest figures released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) show that the country’s average crude oil production reached 1.56 million barrels per day (mbpd) in June 2026, while condensate production stood at 0.18 million barrels per day, bringing total daily oil and condensate output to 1,735,398 barrels per day.

In a statement issued by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the NUPRC said June marked the fourth consecutive month of production growth, reflecting the continued recovery of Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.

“Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production soared to an average of 1,735,398 barrels per day in the month of June 2026, representing positive growth for a fourth consecutive month,” the commission stated.

The production level represents 104 per cent of Nigeria’s OPEC crude oil quota of 1.5 million barrels per day and marks the country’s highest crude oil output since April 2020, making it a 74-month high.

According to the report, total crude oil and condensate production increased from 1.700 million barrels per day in May to 1.735 million barrels per day in June, representing a 2.2 per cent month-on-month increase.

Production has maintained a steady upward trend, rising from 1.483 million barrels per day in February to 1.564 million in March, 1.663 million in April, 1.701 million in May, and 1.735 million barrels per day in June.

Improved operations boost output

The NUPRC attributed the improved performance to enhanced operational stability, better production efficiency and the absence of major pipeline disruptions during the review period.

According to the commission, stable operations across key oil-producing assets, improved crude evacuation and successful completion of scheduled maintenance activities contributed significantly to the production increase.

While a few facilities experienced temporary operational shutdowns, the commission noted that the overall impact on national production remained minimal.

It added that operators and industry stakeholders had continued to improve operational efficiency, maintain asset integrity and enhance production reliability across the upstream sector.

Bonny, Forcados lead production

Analysis of production by export terminals showed that Bonny Terminal remained Nigeria’s highest-producing export terminal, recording an average of 318,280 barrels per day, up from 293,880 barrels per day recorded in May.

Forcados Terminal ranked second with 306,360 barrels per day, while Qua Iboe Terminal recorded a decline to 164,730 barrels per day.

Production at Escravos Terminal rose slightly to 138,030 barrels per day, while Bonga Terminal maintained stable output at 103,660 barrels per day.

The commission also disclosed that Nigeria’s highest daily combined crude oil and condensate production during June reached 1.89 million barrels per day, while the lowest daily output stood at 1.57 million barrels per day.

Economic significance

The sustained increase in oil production is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s export earnings, improve foreign exchange inflows and boost government revenues.

Nigeria has struggled for years to meet its OPEC production quota due to crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, ageing infrastructure and underinvestment.

However, industry reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act, improved security around oil facilities and stronger collaboration between government agencies and operators have contributed to the gradual recovery.

The Federal Government is targeting daily crude oil production of two million barrels, with the latest figures indicating growing momentum towards achieving that objective.