Nigeria exported 485 million barrels of crude oil in 2025 amid rising refinery supply gap — NUPRC report

Nigeria exported about 485.44 million barrels of crude oil in 2025, representing roughly 82% of its total production, according to a new report from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The figures highlight the country’s continued dependence on global oil markets despite efforts to boost local refining capacity.

The report showed that Nigeria produced about 592 million barrels of crude and condensate during the year, averaging 1.62 million barrels per day. Of this, around 1.33 million barrels per day were exported, while just 290,000 barrels per day were supplied to domestic refineries. This means only 18% of total production was retained for local use.

NUPRC noted that the production and lifting structure remained stable, with an almost perfect 1:1 ratio between oil produced and oil lifted. It described the balance as a sign of improved operational efficiency and stronger regulatory oversight, with minimal unaccounted losses in the system.

However, the report also raised concerns about Nigeria’s heavy reliance on crude exports, warning that it exposes the country to global price volatility. While domestic supply remained limited, the commission said ongoing refinery expansion efforts could gradually improve local consumption and reduce import dependency over time.

The findings come at a time when the Dangote Refinery—Africa’s largest with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day—continues to struggle with insufficient local crude supply. Despite Nigeria being Africa’s top oil producer, the refinery has repeatedly reported shortages, forcing it to import crude from international markets to stay operational.

source: punch