Nigeria Excluded from OPEC+ Crude Oil Production Hike Amid Global Market Adjustments

Nigeria has once again been excluded from the latest crude oil production increase by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+). While some member countries announced boosts for May 2026, Nigeria’s oil output will remain unchanged despite reports from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) that production recently reached 1.84 million barrels per day (mbpd).

The countries benefiting from the OPEC+ production hike include Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman. Collectively, they plan to increase crude supply by a total of 206,000 barrels per day, following voluntary adjustments first announced in April 2023. The decision was made during a virtual OPEC meeting on April 5, 2026, with a stated goal of supporting oil market stability amid ongoing global disruptions.

According to OPEC, Saudi Arabia will raise production by 62,000 barrels per day to 10.228 mbpd, Russia by 62,000 to 9.699 mbpd, Iraq by 26,000 to 4.326 mbpd, UAE by 18,000 to 3.447 mbpd, Kuwait by 16,000 to 2.612 mbpd, Kazakhstan by 10,000 to 1.589 mbpd, Algeria by 6,000 to 983,000 b/d, and Oman by 5,000 to 821,000 b/d. These increments come as the global oil market grapples with disruptions linked to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Despite hitting a production milestone of 1.84 mbpd, Nigeria remains outside the group of OPEC+ countries receiving output increases. Analysts suggest that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, along with the strategic decisions of major producers, are limiting Nigeria’s ability to participate in the current production adjustment. This exclusion could affect Nigeria’s revenue projections and influence the country’s oil market strategy in the coming months.

Energy experts note that while the OPEC+ production boost aims to stabilize global oil prices, Nigeria may face competitive disadvantages if market demand shifts to the countries benefiting from the increase. The development underscores ongoing challenges for Nigeria’s oil sector, which has struggled with infrastructure bottlenecks and policy uncertainties. Industry observers will be closely watching whether future OPEC+ meetings will reconsider Nigeria’s inclusion in production adjustments.

source: newtelegraph