Nigeria’s Oil Production Drops to 1.39 Million BPD in September Amid Strikes and Vandalism
Nigeria’s crude oil output fell to 1.39 million barrels per day (bpd) in September 2025, marking the second consecutive month of declining production, according to the latest OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR). The figure represents a drop from 1.434 million bpd in August and is the lowest recorded in seven months, falling short of Nigeria’s OPEC production quota of 1.5 million bpd.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) confirmed that the data were obtained through direct communication with Nigerian authorities, alongside secondary intelligence sources. Despite signs of recovery in June and July, when output briefly approached the OPEC quota, September’s decline reflects persistent challenges in Nigeria’s oil sector, including pipeline vandalism, crude theft, and technical disruptions at key terminals.
The downturn coincides with findings from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which reported a total production of 1.581 million bpd, combining 1.39 million bpd of crude oil and 191,373 bpd of condensates. The commission attributed the shortfall mainly to a three-day industrial strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which forced the temporary shutdown of several production and export facilities, disrupting both output and export schedules.
The strike’s economic impact was highlighted in a letter from NNPC Ltd CEO Bayo Ojulari, who warned regulators that the industrial action caused substantial production deferments and projected revenue losses from missed crude liftings and reduced gas sales. Analysts caution that the setback could undermine Nigeria’s 2025 budget projections, given that crude oil remains the country’s largest foreign exchange earner, accounting for over 80% of export revenues.
In response, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has pledged to restore production levels to at least 1.8 million bpd by year-end, emphasizing tighter security measures in the Niger Delta and renewed investment in upstream projects. With OPEC+ planning to increase global output by 547,000 bpd in September to stabilize markets, Nigeria’s ability to meet its quota remains critical for both national revenue stability and global oil supply.
source: nairametrics