Nigeria’s crude oil production has increased from approximately 1.2 million barrels per day to 1.8 million barrels daily, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
The development represents an increase of 600,000 barrels per day and is being attributed by the company to reforms in the oil and gas industry.
NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, disclosed the figures during the 2026 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference in the United Arab Emirates.
He explained that the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, improved investment conditions and stronger cooperation with industry partners had contributed to the production increase.
Ojulari also revealed that NNPC was targeting crude oil production of two million barrels per day by 2027.
He said achieving the target would require maintaining existing infrastructure, protecting current production levels and completing major oil projects.
The NNPC chief further disclosed that more than 400 compressed natural gas conversion centres had been established across Nigeria, while over 1,000 petroleum transportation trucks had been converted to use natural gas.
He also highlighted progress in major gas infrastructure projects, including the completed OB3 gas pipeline and the ongoing Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline.
The development could strengthen Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, improve energy security and attract additional international investment.
However, sustaining higher production will depend on tackling oil theft, pipeline vandalism, infrastructure challenges and investment difficulties.
For Nigerians, the important expectation is that increased oil production will translate into stronger government revenue, improved public services and better economic opportunities.
SOURCE: AdamaPope