Nigeria has exceeded its OPEC crude oil production quota for the first time in 2026, with improvements along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) under the management of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) contributing significantly to the increase in output.
Latest figures released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on June 11 showed that the country’s total oil production rose by 2.2 per cent in May, increasing from 1.66 million barrels per day in April to approximately 1.70 million barrels per day. Crude oil production averaged 1.53 million barrels per day, surpassing Nigeria’s OPEC quota of 1.5 million barrels per day for the first time this year.
The development featured prominently at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting organised by PINL in Port Harcourt for host communities across Rivers, Imo and Abia states, where traditional rulers and community leaders commended the company’s role in safeguarding the TNP and called for greater institutional support for its operations.
Speaking at the June edition of the meeting on Thursday, PINL’s General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, attributed the production gains to sustained operational stability on the TNP, stronger community collaboration, and a collective commitment by government agencies, security operatives and host communities to combat crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Mezeh said, “The Trans Niger Pipeline continues to record remarkable operational stability,” he said, adding that more reliable infrastructure was contributing to government revenue, energy security and investor confidence.”
The Chairman of the South South Monarchs Forum, Eze Sergeant Awuse, who is also the Nye Nweli Emohua, observed that the peace currently enjoyed in oil-producing communities was increasingly being challenged by forces opposed to ongoing efforts to boost oil production and development.
He said, “Some people who are not patriotic enough will want to spoil your good works,” he said. “This is the time the National Security Adviser and the relevant agencies should give you more support, because if our oil production goes down, it will affect every act of governance.”
On his part, the King of Eleme Kingdom, His Majesty Dr. Philip Obele Osaro, said PINL’s programmes had curbed youth restiveness, and that increased funding would expand youth and women empowerment across host communities.
Also, Engr. Akponime Omojewvhe, Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor at NNPCL’s Project Monitoring Office, urged communities to report suspicious activity early, noting that timely information remained crucial to protecting the corridor.
SOURCE: Independent
