According to data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigeria’s crude oil production increased to 1. 235 million barrels per day in December 2022. This was the country’s highest output since March, when it produced 1.237mbpd. Nigeria Crude oil theft and lost productivity resulted to the low oil production.
The lowest production of crude oil ever seen in Nigeria was at 0.937 million barrels per day (mbpd) in September of last year. The crash in oil production was attributed to the activities of pipeline vandals and oil thieves in the Niger Delta, a development that also made some international firms leave Nigeria.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), ordered security agencies to stop pipeline and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta by May 29, 2023, in order to effectively increase the nation’s oil production.
Per his directive, no crude oil should ever be stolen again across the country again, especially in the South-South. By May 29, 2023, he wants all crude oil theft in Nigeria to be completely eliminated.