Nigeria’s crude oil production has surged from a historic low of 960,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2022 to an average of 1.71 million bpd, with a peak of 1.84 million bpd recorded in 2025, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced. The increase comes after intensified pipeline security measures across the Niger Delta, aimed at curbing oil theft and sabotage.
Speaking at a Parliamentary Roundtable on Pipeline Security in Abuja, NNPC Group CEO Bashir Bayo Ojulari emphasized that the rise in production was the result of deliberate government efforts to protect vital oil infrastructure. According to Ojulari, the integrated energy security model combines legislative and executive policy alignment, actionable intelligence, kinetic deployment, regulatory oversight, industry cooperation, and community-embedded surveillance.
Ojulari highlighted that this strategic approach has not only stabilized production but also restored investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. “The resurgence of production due to the effective tackling of the twin menace of oil theft and pervasive pipeline sabotage has led to the restoration of investors’ confidence,” his statement noted, underscoring the importance of security in sustaining sector growth.
During the roundtable, lawmakers and officials called for continued collaboration to maintain production gains. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, represented by Jimoh Ibrahim, urged agencies to work together to remove obstacles to growth, while the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Julius Ihonvbere, stressed the need to monitor progress to ensure fairness and equity. The forum included top government officials, industry regulators, and security agencies.
NNPCL’s announcement follows confirmation from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission that oil production peaked at 1.84 million bpd in March 2026. The sector had experienced a temporary dip to 1.4 million bpd in February due to routine maintenance, but improved security and strategic oversight have driven a sustained recovery, positioning Nigeria as a more attractive investment destination for global energy players.
source: punch