Nigeria Crude Oil Production Rises to 1.38mbpd in March 2026 as OPEC Reports Modest Recovery

Nigeria’s crude oil production recorded a slight improvement in March 2026, rising to 1.38 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the latest monthly oil market report released by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The increase signals a gradual recovery in output, even as the country continues to struggle with meeting its production targets.

According to OPEC’s data, production rose from 1.31 million bpd in February to 1.38 million bpd in March, representing a 5.25% month-on-month increase. The figures were based on direct communication with Nigerian authorities, while secondary sources placed output slightly higher at 1.46 million bpd for the same period.

Despite the improvement, Nigeria still fell short of its assigned production quota of 1.5 million bpd by about 117,000 bpd. OPEC noted that the gap reflects ongoing operational and structural challenges within Nigeria’s oil sector, including pipeline disruptions, theft, and infrastructure limitations that have affected consistent output.

The report also highlights Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading oil producer in March, ahead of Libya, which recorded 1.30 million bpd. However, variations in reporting persist, as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) reported production at 1.84 million bpd in early April, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) estimated output at 1.71 million bpd.

Across the wider OPEC+ alliance, crude oil production averaged 35.06 million bpd in March, reflecting broader market adjustments and fluctuating supply dynamics. Analysts note that aligning Nigeria’s actual production with its official quota remains a key priority as the country continues efforts to stabilize and expand its oil output capacity.

source: Nairametrics