Nigeria’s oil production has crossed the 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) mark multiple times in 2025, signaling a strong rebound in the country’s upstream performance. This milestone was confirmed by the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which said the feat reflects renewed investor confidence and operational improvements across the sector.
Speaking at a capacity-building workshop for journalists in Lagos, the Commission’s Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, explained that Nigeria’s upstream activities have recorded significant progress this year. He noted that the nation’s rig count—which is a key indicator of exploration and drilling activity—has risen substantially, showing increased momentum in oilfield operations.
According to Komolafe, Nigeria now boasts nearly 70 rigs, with over 40 actively drilling. He added that several Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) valued in billions of dollars have been approved within the last ten months, including Field Development Plans worth approximately $20 billion. These investments, he said, reflect confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory reforms and long-term production potential.
He emphasized that the country’s ability to exceed 1.7 million bpd on several occasions demonstrates Nigeria’s readiness to surpass OPEC production expectations. Looking ahead, the NUPRC plans to launch another licensing round on December 1, 2025. The upcoming round, Komolafe assured, will be more transparent and globally competitive, with the goal of unlocking new oil and gas frontiers to help Nigeria achieve an additional one million barrels per day in production.
Komolafe also highlighted the crucial role of journalism in shaping investor perception. He stressed that Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading oil producer depends not only on policy and geology but also on how the industry’s story is told. Clear, accurate, and responsible media reporting, he said, can either build investor confidence or weaken it in a highly sensitive global energy market.
source: vanguards