In July 2025, Nigeria's crude oil production surged to an average of 1.78 million barrels per day (mbpd), crossing the 1.8 million mbpd mark and surpassing the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota of 1.5 mbpd for the first time since November 2024.
Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), disclosed this during an energy conference. He attributed the rise in production largely to stepped-up security operations in the oil-producing Niger Delta region and ongoing initiatives aimed at boosting Nigeria’s oil output from 1 million bpd to 3 million bpd.
Nigeria, the largest oil producer in Africa, depends heavily on crude oil for nearly two-thirds of government revenue and over 80% of foreign currency earnings, making increased production vital for economic stability. The sector had been marred by problems such as oil theft, unrest, and underinvestment, but improved security under President Bola Tinubu’s administration has facilitated output growth.
Komolafe emphasized continued collaboration with stakeholders to maintain production improvements, enhance transparency, and implement regulations supporting sustainability and industry development.