Nigeria’s Crude Oil Output Falls to 1.39 Million Barrels per Day in September Amid Labour Disruptions

Nigeria’s crude oil production dropped to 1.39 million barrels per day (mbpd) in September 2025, marking the second consecutive month of decline and its lowest output in seven months. The latest OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report, released on Monday, revealed that the figure slipped from 1.43 mbpd in August, falling below Nigeria’s OPEC production quota of 1.5 mbpd.

According to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the fall in production was largely due to industrial disruptions caused by the labour dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery. The three-day strike action during September forced shutdowns at key production and export facilities, disrupting both output and shipment schedules.

OPEC confirmed that the data was obtained directly from Nigerian authorities through official communication channels. The report underscores the ongoing challenge Nigeria faces in stabilizing crude oil production despite efforts to curb pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have plagued the sector for years.

In its detailed figures, the NUPRC noted that Nigeria’s total oil and condensate output for September averaged 1.581 mbpd, comprising 1.39 mbpd of crude oil and 191,373 barrels per day of condensate. This contrasts sharply with production levels in earlier months such as June and July, when Nigeria briefly exceeded its OPEC quota — a performance it had last replicated in January 2025.

The recent decline raises concerns about Nigeria’s ability to meet revenue projections for the fourth quarter, as oil remains the country’s largest foreign exchange earner. Industry experts warn that prolonged production disruptions could impact government revenue, investor confidence, and the country’s economic stability if swift measures are not taken to resolve labour and operational challenges in the oil sector.

source: punch